Trip from Fairmount, IN to Hammond, IN

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

3h 25m

Distance

160.2 mi

258 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 13m ★

6 AM

3h 25m

8 AM

3h 50m

10 AM

3h 34m

12 PM

3h 31m

3 PM

3h 35m

5 PM

3h 48m

8 PM

3h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Fairmount, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 160.2-mile drive from Fairmount, Indiana, to Hammond, Indiana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes I-65 for a significant portion, making it a straightforward journey. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, suggesting a blend of highway and local road travel. Given its relatively short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day of driving, allowing ample time for your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

80.1 miles from Fairmount, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this 160.2-mile route, with 59% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.3 miles on I-65, offering a period of consistent speed. While much of the journey is on the interstate, you'll also navigate county roads like East County Road 400 South and County Road 900 North. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of highway driving and the more localized feel of traversing through communities.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 62.6 miles in near I 65.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 62.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

62.6 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

148.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

158.3 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Take the exit toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis...

158.5 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard

159 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in | 173rd Street

Turn left onto 173rd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	86.3 mi	1h 34m
East County Road 400 South	21.1 mi	31m
County Road 900 North	11.7 mi	17m
State Road 26	10.4 mi	14m
West County Road 900 South	10 mi	14m
Borman Expressway	8 mi	10m
East Main Street	5.2 mi	7m
County Road West 400 South	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 86.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairmount, IN and Hammond, IN.

Start on South Main Street

114 ft · 12 sec · South Main Street

Turn left onto West Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street

Continue on East 950 S

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 950 S

Turn right onto SR 9

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South East 00 West

Turn left onto SR 26

10 mi · 14 min · West County Road 900 South

Continue on SR 26

21 mi · 31 min · East County Road 400 South

Continue on SR 26

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Continue on SR 26

1.8 mi · 2 min · County Road West 400 South

Continue on SR 26

10 mi · 14 min · State Road 26

Continue on SR 26

4.5 mi · 6 min · East Main Street

Continue on SR 26

0.2 mi · 17 sec · County Road 900 North

Continue on SR 26

0.4 mi · 35 sec · West Main Street

Continue on SR 26

12 mi · 17 min · County Road 900 North

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Merge onto I 65

86 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min

Exit 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

8.0 mi · 10 min · Borman Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight left lane.

Turn straight onto SR 152

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Indianapolis Boulevard

Turn left onto 173rd Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 173rd Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Columbia Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Columbia Avenue

Arrive at destination

Columbia Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 25-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Hammond with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 86.3 miles, you can easily complete this journey without needing to split it over multiple days. Plan your fuel stops strategically, especially before embarking on the 86.3-mile segment on I-65. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between I-65 and the county roads to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 80.1 miles from Fairmount, IN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 35 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.1 miles or 1h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Fairmount, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fairmount, IN

This is one driving day of about 160.2 miles and 3h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Fairmount, IN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 86.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.1 mi from Fairmount, IN · 1h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Lafayette, IN

80 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

West Lafayette, IN to Hammond, IN

97.7 mi · 1h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Indian Heights, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.1 miles from Fairmount, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.3 miles.

Arriving in Hammond, IN

The final approach into Hammond, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hammond, IN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.05 one way

$50.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$27.50	$55.00
premium	$4.89	$30.83	$61.66
diesel	$5.61	$35.37	$70.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.1	$16.82	$7.69
Efficient EV	40.1	$14.02	$6.41
EV Truck/SUV	64.1	$22.43	$10.25

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fairmount, IN

Evening in Fairmount on Wednesday

Local time

7:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hammond, IN

Evening in Hammond on Wednesday

Local time

6:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 25m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fairmount, IN to Hammond, IN covers 160.2 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, East County Road 400 South, County Road 900 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 80.1 miles from Fairmount, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.