Origin
Tri-Lakes, IN
Late night in Tri-Lakes on Friday
Local time
4:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tri-Lakes, IN to Hammond, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
126.5 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tri-Lakes, IN
Krasimir Georgiev
Trip Overview
This 126.5-mile journey from Tri-Lakes to Hammond, Indiana, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in under 3 hours. Primarily utilizing US 30 and the Indiana Toll Road (I-80), this route offers a direct path through the heart of the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll find yourself on highways for the majority of the drive, making it a functional transit rather than a leisurely scenic tour. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, and you'll arrive in Hammond with plenty of day left.
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
63.3 miles from Tri-Lakes, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 126.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 82% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on US 30, which accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 84.8 miles. This section will likely feel like a typical drive through the Midwest, with access to amenities but not necessarily dramatic scenery. The transition to I-80 and the Indiana Toll Road will offer faster speeds and a more direct route 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 25 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 84.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 101.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 126.5 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 101.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.1 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
101.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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
111.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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
111.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
124.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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 Tri-Lakes, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Chesterton
91.8 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 84.8 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 80 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| Indiana Toll Road | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| SR 9 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| 173rd Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| East 500 North | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Old 102 | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Indianapolis Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 84.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tri-Lakes, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on East Beech Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Beech Avenue
2
Turn right onto Hall Street
219 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hall Street
3
Turn left onto North Willow Avenue
287 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Willow Avenue
4
Continue on North Old 102
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Old 102
5
Turn right onto East South Center Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East South Center Street
6
Continue on North Old 102
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Old 102
7
Turn slight right
477 ft
·
13 sec
8
Continue on East 500 North
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East 500 North
9
Turn left onto SR 9
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 9
10
Turn right onto US 30
85 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
US 30
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
9.2 mi
·
13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
12
Turn left
394 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
14
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Use the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 80; I 90
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
Exit 21
Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi
·
17 min
·
I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 2
Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
Use the slight left lane.
22
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Indianapolis Boulevard
23
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
173rd Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Columbia Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 52-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time upon arrival in Hammond. You'll want to take advantage of the flexibility this relatively short drive offers, perhaps planning your one recommended stop for a mid-drive stretch or a quick meal. With a significant portion of the drive on US 30, keep an eye out for local traffic patterns and potential slowdowns before you merge onto the faster toll road.
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 63.3 miles from Tri-Lakes, IN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.8 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 28 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 26m 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 20m
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 Tri-Lakes, 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 Tri-Lakes, IN
This is one driving day of about 126.5 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Tri-Lakes, 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 84.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.3 mi from Tri-Lakes, IN · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Tri-Lakes, 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 84.8 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.78 one way
$39.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.71 | $43.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.34 | $48.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.67
Indiana Toll Road
(9.5 mi)
$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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.28 | $6.07 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.71 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Late night in Hammond on Friday
Local time
3:36 AM
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
17 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
2h 52m 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 Tri-Lakes, IN to Hammond, IN covers 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, I 80, Indiana Toll Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.3 miles from Tri-Lakes, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.78 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 126.5 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 101.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.1 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tri-Lakes, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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