Giovanni's Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Munster, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
134.7 mi
217 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rome City, IN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Hammond, IN to Rome City, IN covers 134.7 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Indiana Toll Road, SR 9, Borman Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99 miles on Indiana Toll Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.06 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
67.4 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 2h 43m drive with frequent turns across 134.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 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.
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 134.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 14.6 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 9: Howe, Lagrange
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Rome City, IN, road signs point toward Indiana Toll Road East and Lagrange.
Indiana Toll Road East
Lagrange
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 99 mi | 1h 47m |
| SR 9 | 19 mi | 28m |
| Borman Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| I 80 | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| 173rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Southeastern Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Indianapolis Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Columbia Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Rome City, 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 onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Merge onto I 80; I 90
Take the exit
Turn straight
Turn straight onto SR 9
Turn left onto Lake Street
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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 21m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rome City, 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 134.7 miles and 2h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.4 mi from Hammond, IN · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Hammond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Rome City, 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 Rome City, 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
Munster, Indiana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Evan's Sidewalk Cafe
Bristol, Indiana
BIGGBY COFFEE
Sturgis, Michigan
Top Coffee Stop
LaGrange, Indiana
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+18332327456
Five Lakes Coffee
Sturgis, Michigan
Steelyard Coffee Co
Elkhart, Indiana
Near the start, short detour
Munster, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Bristol, Indiana
Hours: 4 am–2 pm
+15748487110
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sturgis, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–8 pm
+12695037392
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Carlisle, Indiana
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+15746540086
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Howe, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+12605623584
Near the start, short detour
Highland, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12195950314
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Elkhart, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+15749707445
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Carlisle, Indiana
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+15749880219
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
LaGrange, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+18332327456
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sturgis, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12692032573
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Elkhart, Indiana
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+15743276972
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sturgis, Michigan
Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm
+12696517677
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Valparaiso, Indiana
+12199819183
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mishawaka, Indiana
Hours: 3–9 pm
+15748551095
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
South Bend, Indiana
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+15742222266
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
$21.06 one way
$42.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.12 | $46.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.93
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Hammond on Saturday
Local time
6:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Rome City on Saturday
Local time
7:11 AM
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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