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Trip from Hammond, IN to Jefferson, IN

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 14m

Distance

116 mi

187 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 5m ★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Jefferson, IN, IN

Jefferson, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Hammond, IN to Jefferson, IN covers 116 miles and takes about 2h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, Borman Expressway, SR 28 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.5 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.14 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.

Midpoint

58 miles from Hammond, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 116 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (10%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 14m drive with frequent turns across 116 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 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 100.5 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 12 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 Effort 5/10

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 116 miles you will encounter 12 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 12 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.
5
11.3 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.8 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Take the exit toward SR 28: Frankfort, Attica

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 158 Toward SR 28: Frankfort, Attica

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 100.5 mi 1h 49m
Borman Expressway 8.2 mi 11m
SR 28 3.8 mi 5m
173rd Street 0.6 mi 1m
Southeastern Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Indianapolis Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Columbia Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
175th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 100.5 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Jefferson, 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 11 Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use 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

101 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 158 Toward SR 28: Frankfort, Attica Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn left onto SR 28

3.8 mi · 5 min · SR 28
13

Turn left onto Washington Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Washington Street
14

Arrive at destination

Washington Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 26 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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 116 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hammond, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 100.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58 mi from Hammond, IN · 1h 9m into the drive

census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelby, IN

58 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Chicago Heights, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelby, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58 miles from Hammond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.5 miles.

Arriving in Jefferson, IN

The final approach into Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, IN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Indiana Dunes National Park

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour $20 near mile 12
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.14 one way

$36.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.91 $39.82
premium $4.89 $22.32 $44.65
diesel $5.61 $25.61 $51.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.15 $4.64
EV Truck/SUV 46.4 0 $16.24 $7.42

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 16, 2026

Origin

Hammond, IN

Night in Hammond on Thursday

Local time

11:12 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jefferson, IN

Late night in Jefferson on Friday

Local time

12:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Shelby, IN

58 mi in

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

16 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

2h 14m 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 Jefferson, IN covers 116 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, Borman Expressway, SR 28. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58 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 $18.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116 miles you will encounter 12 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.
The route from Hammond, IN to Jefferson, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Indiana Dunes National Park.

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