Connecting Hammond to Clayton, this 156.8-mile journey through the Indiana Midwest takes approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $24 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the path involves a combination of the Borman Expressway, the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, and South Lebanon Street. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the drive offers a straightforward transit across the state that fits easily into a weekend itinerary.
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
78.4 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 156.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention as you transition between different road types. While you will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, the route maintains a relatively low highway share of about 7 percent, meaning you will spend most of your time on local roads. You can settle in for the longest uninterrupted segment during the 119.7-mile stretch along the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The experience shifts from the initial expressway pace into more technical, winding local driving as you approach Clayton, keeping the experience varied rather than monotonous.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 119.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.1 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
6
10.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
131 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward SR 39: Lebanon, Lizton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 139
Toward SR 39: Lebanon, Lizton
7
151.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|US 36; SR 39 / West Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 36; SR 39 / West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hammond, IN to Clayton, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Lizton along the way.
Lizton
131 mi in|~2h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
119.7 mi
2h 10m
South Lebanon Street
8.6 mi
12m
Borman Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
County Road 100 West
4.7 mi
7m
North State Street
3.9 mi
5m
SR 39
3.1 mi
4m
County Road 50 West
2.3 mi
3m
South State Road 39
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 119.7 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Clayton, IN.
1
Start on Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Columbia Avenue
2
Turn left onto 173rd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·173rd Street
3
Turn right onto Southeastern Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Southeastern Avenue
4
Turn left onto 175th Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·175th Street
5
Turn right onto SR 152
0.3 mi·22 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Detroit
7
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.2 mi·11 min·Borman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·34 sec
Exit 11Toward I 65 South: IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 65
120 mi·2 hr 10 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 139Toward SR 39: Lebanon, Lizton
12
Turn right onto SR 39
8.6 mi·12 min·South Lebanon Street
13
Continue on SR 39
2.3 mi·3 min·County Road 50 West
14
Continue on SR 39
3.9 mi·5 min·North State Street
15
Continue on SR 39
4.7 mi·7 min·County Road 100 West
16
Continue on SR 39
0.5 mi·50 sec·Urban Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 36; SR 39
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 39
0.7 mi·1 min·South Cross Street
19
Continue on SR 39
1.4 mi·2 min·South State Road 39
20
At end of road, turn left onto SR 39
0.2 mi·18 sec·SR 39
21
Turn right onto SR 39
2.9 mi·4 min·SR 39
22
Turn left onto SR 39
168 ft·8 sec·Kentucky Street
23
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 estimate can vary based on local prices and your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, allow for a little extra time if you are traveling during peak local traffic hours. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transitions onto South Lebanon Street early, as the turn-heavy nature of the final approach requires careful navigation compared to long, straight highway stretches.
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 78.4 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.7 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clayton, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 156.8 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Hammond, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 119.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.4 mi from Hammond, IN
· 1h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Indiana Dunes National Park
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 10.8
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47
0
$16.46
$7.53
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.72
$6.27
EV Truck/SUV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.04
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Hammond, IN
Evening
in Hammond on Thursday
Local time
7:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clayton, IN
Evening
in Clayton on Thursday
Local time
8:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
14 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 7m 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 Hammond, IN to Clayton, IN covers 156.8 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, South Lebanon Street, Borman Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.4 miles from Hammond, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.51 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Hammond, IN to Clayton, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Lizton along the way.
