Origin
Bluffton, IN
Late night in Bluffton on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bluffton, IN to Hammond, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
162.7 mi
262 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bluffton, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 162.7-mile drive from Bluffton, Indiana, to Hammond, Indiana, is a solid day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Primarily following US 30 and I-80, with a brief segment on South Main Street, this route offers a straightforward journey across the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's an economical option for a single day's travel. The drive is largely highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. You'll find this route works well for a focused, one-day excursion.
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
81.4 miles from Bluffton, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 99.3 mi | 2h 9m |
| I 80 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| South Main Street | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| Indiana Toll Road | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Bluffton Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| Ardmore Avenue | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Leesburg Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Hillegas Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 99.3 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on West Washington Street
46 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto SR 1; SR 116
12 mi
·
17 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on SR 1
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Bluffton Road
4
Turn left onto Airport Expressway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Expressway
5
Turn right onto Ardmore Avenue
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Ardmore Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Hillegas Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Hillegas Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto Leesburg Road
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Leesburg Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto Flaugh Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Flaugh Road
9
Turn left onto US 30
99 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
US 30
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
9.2 mi
·
13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
11
Turn left
394 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
13
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Use the straight lane.
15
Merge onto I 80; I 90
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 2
Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
Use the slight left lane.
21
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Indianapolis Boulevard
22
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
173rd Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Columbia Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 41-minute duration, starting your drive in Bluffton earlier in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Hammond. With just one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, you have flexibility. The longest stretch on US 30 means you can cover a lot of ground efficiently before hitting the interstate. Ensure your vehicle is fueled before departing Bluffton, as extended highway sections can limit immediate refueling options.
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 81.4 miles from Bluffton, IN, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 36 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.4 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
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 Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, IN
This is one driving day of about 162.7 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Bluffton, 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 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.4 miles from Bluffton, 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 99.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 137.6 and 160.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
137.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
147.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m 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
147.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
148 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
160.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.44 one way
$50.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.31 | $62.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.92 | $71.84 |
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.08 | $7.81 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.24 | $6.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.78 | $10.41 |
Gas CO2
57 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.
Destination
Hammond, IN
Late night in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Warsaw, IN
81 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
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
3h 41m 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.
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 140.3
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 70% of this trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 30, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.3 miles. Later, the route transitions to I-80, offering a faster pace. While not a winding, technical drive, the change in road types will provide some variation as you progress through Indiana. The overall feel is one of steady progress on well-established roadways.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 137.6 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 162.7 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 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Bluffton, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Chesterton
128.1 mi in
|
~2h 52m
About the Cities
Arriving in Hammond, IN
Full guide →Hammond is a Chicagoland city of some 76,000 people (2019) in Lake County, Indiana—bordering Chicago's Far Southeast Side. Most visitors will find themselves passing through or on business, but Chicagoans would do well to include it in a close-in Lake County day trip, if for no other reason than to get some good food, perhaps stock up on fireworks, and realize that Chicagoland doesn't stop at the state line!
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 162.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.67 in tolls one way, starting with Indiana Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hammond, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hammond, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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