This 166.3-mile journey from Preble, Indiana, to Hammond, Indiana, is a straightforward drive that can easily be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US 30 and I-80, with a significant portion spent on the highway. Expect a fuel cost around $26 for this trip. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling entirely within the Midwest region, making for a consistent regional experience.
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
83.1 miles from Preble, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 166.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 69% of the route on interstates and major highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.8 miles on US 30, offering a sustained period of driving. The character of the road is largely consistent, leaning towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. While I-80 provides a faster pace for parts of the journey, US 30 offers a different highway feel as you progress towards your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
914 ft599 ft
Total Climb
188 ft
Total Descent
402 ft
Highest Point
914 ft
~59.4 mi in
Elevation Range
315 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and North 13th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 166.3 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 141.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.8 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
141.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
8
150.8 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 80
Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
8
151.4 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
8
151.6 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West
8
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Preble, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Chesterton
131.6 mi in|~2h 51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
88.8 mi
1h 56m
North 13th Street
15.6 mi
17m
I 80
13.6 mi
19m
US 33
12.7 mi
16m
Indiana Toll Road
9.5 mi
11m
Lafayette Street
5.6 mi
7m
West 600 N
3.8 mi
5m
West Coliseum Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 88.8 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preble, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on this road
116 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North 400 West
227 ft·15 sec·North 400 West
3
Turn left onto US 224
3.8 mi·5 min·West 600 N
4
Continue on US 224
0.3 mi·33 sec·Nuttman Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 27; US 33
16 mi·17 min·North 13th Street
6
Continue on US 27
4.7 mi·5 min·Lafayette Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
0.9 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
8
Continue on US 27
1.1 mi·2 min·Spy Run Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 27
0.4 mi·27 sec·North Clinton Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn straight onto US 27
1.1 mi·1 min·Lima Road
Toward US 27 North
11
Turn left onto SR 930
1.6 mi·2 min·West Coliseum Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit onto SR 930
0.2 mi·23 sec·SR 930
Toward SR 930 West
13
Merge onto SR 930
0.3 mi·21 sec·Goshen Road
14
Continue on US 33
13 mi·16 min·US 33
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 30
89 mi·1 hr 56 min·US 30
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
9.2 mi·13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
17
Turn left
394 ft·9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
19
Continue on this road
411 ft·10 sec·this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
21
Merge onto I 80; I 90
9.5 mi·11 min·Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto I 80
0.6 mi·1 min·I 80
Exit 21Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.1 mi·13 sec·I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi·17 min·I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
27
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
28
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 166.3-mile trip, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Hammond without feeling rushed, especially since it's a 3 hour and 40-minute drive. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the drive on US 30 around the halfway point or power through. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch is 88.8 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so factor that into your budget before you depart.
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 83.1 miles from Preble, IN, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.8 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 47m 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 57m
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 Preble, 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 Preble, IN
This is one driving day of about 166.3 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Preble, 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 US 30 for about 88.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.1 mi from Preble, IN
· 1h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Preble, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.8 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.
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
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$20
near mile 143.3
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.46
$7.98
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.55
$6.65
EV Truck/SUV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Preble, IN
Evening
in Preble on Thursday
Local time
7:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Evening
in Hammond on Thursday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Plymouth, IN
83 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
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
3h 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 Preble, IN to Hammond, IN covers 166.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, North 13th Street, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.1 miles from Preble, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.00 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 19 significant decision points across 166.3 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 141.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.8 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Preble, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 599 ft to 914 ft elevation with about 188 ft of total climbing.
