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Trip from Pendleton, IN to Hammond, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

177.5 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 10m ★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m

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

town in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States

Pendleton, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 177.5-mile drive from Pendleton, Indiana, to Hammond, Indiana, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 22 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-65, I-69, and I-465. With 96% of the trip on highways, it's a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $28, making it an economical choice. This route is ideal for a day trip, offering a direct path between two points in Indiana without the need for an overnight stop.

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

88.8 miles from Pendleton, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 177.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 177.5-mile route. With 96% of the drive on interstates, you'll encounter consistent speeds and smooth sailing for the most part. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 129.1 miles, primarily on I-65, so plan your breaks accordingly. While not characterized by dramatic scenery, this drive offers a predictable and efficient passage through Indiana's landscape, prioritizing direct travel over winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near I 69.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 177.5 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 19 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 166.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
19 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 69

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
31.9 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 865

Keep slight left at fork onto I 865 toward I 865 West: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 25 Toward I 865 West: Chicago
8
166.3 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

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 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
8
175.6 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard

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 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis...
8
175.9 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 129.1 mi 2h 20m
I 69 18 mi 20m
I 465 10.9 mi 12m
Borman Expressway 8 mi 10m
I 865 5 mi 5m
West State Street 1 mi 1m
173rd Street 1 mi 2m
South Pendleton Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 129.1 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pendleton, IN and Hammond, IN.

1

Start on West Madison Avenue

50 ft · 5 sec · West Madison Avenue
2

Turn left onto South Pendleton Avenue

0.4 mi · 58 sec · South Pendleton Avenue
3

Turn left onto West State Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · West State Street
4

Enter roundabout onto State Street

95 ft · 1 sec · State Street
5

Continue on State Street

0.3 mi · 27 sec · State Street
6

Enter roundabout

309 ft · 5 sec
7

Continue

358 ft · 6 sec
8

Enter roundabout

391 ft · 6 sec
9

Continue

0.3 mi · 29 sec
10

Merge onto I 69

17 mi · 18 min · I 69
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 69
Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on I 69

0.2 mi · 22 sec · I 69
Exit 200 Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
13

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 465 West
14

Continue on I 465

11 mi · 12 min · I 465
Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 865

5.0 mi · 5 min · I 865
Exit 25 Toward I 865 West: Chicago
16

Merge onto I 65; US 52

12 mi · 13 min · I 65; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit onto US 52

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 52
Exit 141 Toward US 52 West
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
19

Merge onto I 65

117 mi · 2 hr 7 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
21

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

8.0 mi · 10 min · Borman Expressway
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight left lane.
24

Turn straight onto SR 152

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Indianapolis Boulevard
25

Turn left onto 173rd Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 173rd Street
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto Columbia Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Columbia Avenue
27

Arrive at destination

Columbia Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour and 22-minute duration for this 177.5-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience. Aiming for an early morning departure can help you avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach the Hammond area. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your fuel and rest breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-65 is over 129 miles, ensuring you don't need to worry about finding services unexpectedly.

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 88.8 miles from Pendleton, IN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.1 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 39 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.8 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m

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 Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, IN

This is one driving day of about 177.5 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Pendleton, 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 I 65 for about 129.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 88.8 mi from Pendleton, IN · 1h 39m into the drive

Downtown Lafayette, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, IN

89 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

Speedway, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.8 miles from Pendleton, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.1 miles.

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.

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 165.3
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

$27.75 one way

$55.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.47 $60.94
premium $4.89 $34.16 $68.32
diesel $5.61 $39.19 $78.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.3 0 $18.64 $8.52
Efficient EV 44.4 0 $15.53 $7.10
EV Truck/SUV 71 0 $24.85 $11.36

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 15, 2026

Origin

Pendleton, IN

Evening in Pendleton on Thursday

Local time

6:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hammond, IN

Evening in Hammond on Thursday

Local time

5:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Lafayette, IN

89 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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

15 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 22m 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 Pendleton, IN to Hammond, IN covers 177.5 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 69, I 465. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.8 miles from Pendleton, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.75 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 177.5 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 19 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.9 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 166.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Pendleton, IN to Hammond, 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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