BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Near the start, right off the route
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12195001370
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
128.6 mi
207 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Churubusco, IN
Sergio Benavides
The drive from Hammond, IN to Churubusco, IN covers 128.6 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Morthland Drive, Old Trail Road, Borman Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.2 miles on West Morthland Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
64.3 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 128.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 2h 56m drive with frequent turns across 128.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 128.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 30: Merrillville, Valparaiso, Schererville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Valparaiso, Valparaiso University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hammond, IN and Churubusco, IN, road signs point toward Valparaiso, Schererville and Valparaiso University.
Valparaiso
Schererville
Valparaiso University
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Morthland Drive | 90.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| Old Trail Road | 8.5 mi | 12m |
| Borman Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| US Route 30 | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| East 81st Avenue | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| 173rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Whitley Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Churubusco, IN.
Start on Columbia Avenue
Turn left onto 173rd Street
Turn right onto Southeastern Avenue
Turn left onto 175th Street
Turn right onto SR 152
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Turn left onto SR 205
Continue on SR 205
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Churubusco, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hammond, 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 Hammond, IN
This is one driving day of about 128.6 miles and 2h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.3 mi from Hammond, IN · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 64.3 miles from Hammond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Morthland Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.2 miles.
The final approach into Churubusco, 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 Churubusco, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Merrillville, Indiana
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12195001370
Giovanni's Restaurant
Munster, Indiana
Near the start, right off the route
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12195001370
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Munster, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lansing, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+17084748100
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Valparaiso, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12192429160
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lansing, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–7:45 pm
+17084741378
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+12192132044
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Valparaiso, Indiana
Hours: 4–10 pm
+12195105548
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
East Chicago, Indiana
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12192568232
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12193233948
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12196629165
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12193108078
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Columbia City, Indiana
+18888074522
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Columbia City, Indiana
+18888074522
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$20.11 one way
$40.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.07 | $44.15 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.39 | $56.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.50 | $6.17 |
| Efficient EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.25 | $5.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hammond on Friday
Local time
12:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Churubusco on Friday
Local time
1:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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