Origin
Indianapolis, IN
Evening in Indianapolis on Sunday
Local time
6:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
158.9 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Driving from Indianapolis to Hammond covers 158.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Because this is a relatively quick journey through the Midwest, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $22 on fuel for the trek. The route begins on local streets like West Market and North Illinois before transitioning to I-65 North. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that connects two major Indiana hubs, making it an easy choice for travelers looking for efficiency over a long-haul adventure.
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
79.4 miles from Indianapolis, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate the initial streets of Indianapolis. You will spend time maneuvering through city infrastructure before merging onto I-65 North for the majority of the trip. Since the highway share is 0%—meaning local roads dominate the start of your experience—the driving requires more focus than a simple interstate cruise. There is no long, uninterrupted stretch on this route, as the longest segment is 0 miles on West Market Street. The road's personality changes from tight, urban turns to a more consistent flow as you head north toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Market Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN is easy. At 2h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Illinois Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 52 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Borman Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SR 152 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Indianapolis Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Market Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indianapolis, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on the route
256 ft
·
33 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto West Market Street
351 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Market Street
3
Turn right onto North Illinois Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Illinois Street
4
Take the ramp left toward I 65 North: Chicago
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 65 North: Chicago
5
Merge slight left
28 mi
·
33 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 52 West
7
Keep slight left
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
8
Merge slight left
117 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
10
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Borman Expressway
11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard
12
Keep slight left to continue on SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
13
Turn straight onto Indianapolis Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Indianapolis Boulevard
14
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
173rd Street
15
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Columbia Avenue
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 40-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Plan for at least one stop along the 158.9-mile path to stretch your legs and refresh, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the initial local roads. Budgeting $22 for gas should keep you covered, but it is always wise to monitor your fuel levels before leaving the Indianapolis area. Because the route relies on local streets early on, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to ensure a smoother start to your travel. Keeping an eye on your GPS early in the trip will help you navigate the turns on West Market and North Illinois streets with ease.
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 79.4 miles from Indianapolis, IN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis, IN
This is one driving day of about 158.9 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Indianapolis, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.4 mi from Indianapolis, IN · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Indianapolis, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hammond, IN
The final approach into Hammond, 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 Hammond, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.14 one way
$48.27 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.61 | $53.21 |
| premium | $4.80 | $30.00 | $59.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.30 | $70.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.68 | $7.63 |
| Efficient EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.25 | $10.17 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Hammond, IN
Evening in Hammond on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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 40m 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 Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN covers 158.9 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Market Street, North Illinois Street, I 65 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.4 miles from Indianapolis, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.14 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN is easy. At 2h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Indianapolis, IN to Hammond, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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