The drive from Rising Sun, IN to Hammond, IN covers 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, I 74, SR 48 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.3 miles on I 65.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.29 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.8 miles from Rising Sun, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 13m highway drive covering 257.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 74. The longest continuous stretch is about 146.3 miles on I 65.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 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 146.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near SR 56 / Judiciary Street.
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 29 significant decision points across 257.7 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 8.3 miles (SR 56 / Judiciary Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in|SR 56 / Judiciary Street
Turn right onto SR 56 / Judiciary Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
99.5 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
246.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
255.8 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
256 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
146.3 mi
2h 42m
I 74
61.6 mi
1h 5m
SR 48
10.1 mi
17m
Borman Expressway
8 mi
10m
North High Street
6.9 mi
12m
North Meridian Street
6.3 mi
10m
Sunnyside Avenue
5.1 mi
9m
Southeastern Avenue
5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 146.3 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rising Sun, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on North Walnut Street
135 ft·9 sec·North Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto SR 56
474 ft·13 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto SR 56
6.9 mi·12 min·North High Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on SR 56
1.1 mi·1 min·Decatur Street
5
Continue on SR 56
0.2 mi·22 sec·Water Street
6
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi·11 sec·Judiciary Street
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on SR 56
0.3 mi·40 sec·Importing Street
8
Turn right onto US 50
0.5 mi·1 min·Green Boulevard
9
Turn left onto SR 148
5.1 mi·9 min·Sunnyside Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto SR 48
10 mi·17 min·SR 48
11
Turn right onto SR 101
6.3 mi·10 min·North Meridian Street
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 74 West: Indianapolis
13
Merge onto I 74
62 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
1.2 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 94Toward Southeastern Avenue
15
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
3.6 mi·5 min·Southeastern Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto Southeastern Avenue
106 ft·5 sec·Southeastern Avenue
17
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Southeastern Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on Cruse Street
422 ft·14 sec·Cruse Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East Market Street
364 ft·15 sec·East Market Street
20
Turn left onto Dickson Street
526 ft·20 sec·Dickson Street
21
Turn left onto East Ohio Street
129 ft·5 sec·East Ohio Street
22
Turn right onto Dickson Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dickson Street
23
Turn left onto East New York Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East New York Street
24
Turn right onto North Pine Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Pine Street
25
Take the ramp
124 ft·3 sec
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 65
30 mi·35 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
30
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
32
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.0 mi·10 min·Borman Expressway
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
35
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
36
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
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 128.8 miles from Rising Sun, IN, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.3 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 57 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 17m
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 Rising Sun, 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 Rising Sun, IN
This is one driving day of about 257.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Rising Sun, 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 146.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.8 mi from Rising Sun, IN
· 2h 47m 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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
$20
near mile 248.8
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.29 one way
$80.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.24
$88.47
premium
$4.89
$49.59
$99.18
diesel
$5.61
$56.90
$113.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.06
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.08
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Rising Sun, IN
Afternoon
in Rising Sun on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Afternoon
in Hammond on Friday
Local time
12:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
7 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
5h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rising Sun, IN to Hammond, IN covers 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 74, SR 48. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.8 miles from Rising Sun, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.29 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 257.7 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 8.3 miles (SR 56 / Judiciary Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Rising Sun, IN to Hammond, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Indiana Dunes National Park.
How this page is built
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.
