The drive from Hammond, IN to Tri-Lakes, IN covers 125.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m 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, Borman Expressway, US Route 30 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.9 miles on West Morthland Drive.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.59 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
62.6 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 125.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 54m drive with frequent turns across 125.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Morthland Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 88.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 125.3 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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.
8
16.8 mi into trip|~25m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 253
Toward US 30: Merrillville, Valparaiso, Scherer...
8
17.2 mi into trip|~26m in
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
Use the left lane.
Toward Valparaiso, Valparaiso University
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hammond, IN and Tri-Lakes, IN, road signs point toward Valparaiso, Schererville and Valparaiso University.
Valparaiso
16.8 mi in|~25m
Schererville
16.8 mi in|~25m
Valparaiso University
17.2 mi in|~26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Morthland Drive
88.9 mi
1h 57m
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
Nort Main Street
5 mi
7m
East 500 North
0.9 mi
2m
173rd Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
West Morthland Drive
— 88.9 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Tri-Lakes, 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
5.5 mi·7 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 253Toward US 30: Merrillville, Valparaiso, ScherervilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
246 ft·8 sec
Toward Valparaiso, Valparaiso UniversityUse the left lane.
13
Turn left onto US 30
5.5 mi·8 min·East 81st Avenue
14
Continue on US 30
6.6 mi·9 min·US Route 30
15
Continue on US 30
89 mi·1 hr 57 min·West Morthland Drive
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto SR 9
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Main Street
17
Continue on SR 9
5.0 mi·7 min·Nort Main Street
18
Turn right onto East 500 North
0.9 mi·2 min·East 500 North
19
Turn slight left
477 ft·13 sec
20
Continue on North Old 102
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Old 102
21
Continue on East South Center Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East South Center Street
22
Turn left onto North Old 102
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Old 102
23
Turn right onto Hall Street
219 ft·14 sec·Hall Street
24
Turn left onto East Beech Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Beech Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
East Beech Avenue
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.6 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.9 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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 27m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tri-Lakes, 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 125.3 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 West Morthland Drive for about 88.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.6 mi from Hammond, IN
· 1h 27m 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 25.9
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.01
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
EV Truck/SUV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning
in Hammond on Friday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tri-Lakes, IN
Morning
in Tri-Lakes on Friday
Local time
8:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
17 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 54m 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 Tri-Lakes, IN covers 125.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Morthland Drive, Borman Expressway, US Route 30. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.6 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 $19.59 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 125.3 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.
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.
Between Hammond, IN and Tri-Lakes, IN, road signs point toward Valparaiso, Schererville and Valparaiso University.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
