Origin
South Whitley, IN
Late night in South Whitley on Saturday
Local time
1:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
118.6 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Whitley, IN
Will Jelbert
South Whitley, IN to Hammond, IN is 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 42m via US 30 and I-80, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive across Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a route that is predominantly highway, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. Given the relatively short duration, this trip is best suited for a single-day journey. It's a practical option if you need to traverse this section of the state without much fuss.
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
59.3 miles from South Whitley, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 118.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 81% of the drive utilizing major highways like US 30 and the Indiana Toll Road (I-80). You'll experience a significant stretch of 76.3 miles on US 30, which likely offers a consistent pace. The overall feel is that of a direct, efficient drive, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing. While the highway share is high, the transition between US 30 and I-80 will mark a change in the driving environment as you move onto the toll road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.4 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 118.6 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 93.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
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
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from South Whitley, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Chesterton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 76.3 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 80 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| Indiana Toll Road | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| SR 5 | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| 173rd Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Old Trail Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Binkley Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Indianapolis Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Whitley, IN and Hammond, IN.
Start on SR 5
Turn left onto West Old Trail Road
Turn right onto North Binkley Road
Turn left onto US 30
Take the exit
Turn left
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 80; I 90
Take the exit onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto SR 152
Turn left onto 173rd Street
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 42m duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day, so plan to depart in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $19, this is an economical and manageable drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 76.3 miles on US 30, as services can sometimes be less frequent in certain highway sections. The Indiana Toll Road (I-80) will involve tolls, so be prepared for that expense in addition to fuel.
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.
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 26 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Whitley, 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 South Whitley, IN
This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from South Whitley, IN · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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.
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from South Whitley, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.3 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$18.54 one way
$37.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.36 | $40.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.82 | $45.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.19 | $52.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.67
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.45 | $5.69 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.38 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in South Whitley on Saturday
Local time
1:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Hammond on Saturday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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