If you are planning to travel from Cannelton to Hammond, expect a 311.9-mile journey that takes approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes of actual drive time. Because this route relies on local roads rather than interstates, it is best suited as a single-day trip for those who prefer scenic, turn-heavy driving over high-speed transit. You should budget about $47 for fuel to cover the distance across the Indiana landscape. Since the entire trip remains within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head north. While it is certainly manageable in one day, the technical nature of the roads means you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and remain alert.
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
155.9 miles from Cannelton, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
134.7 mi
2h 26m
I 69
47.6 mi
53m
North Gospel Street
41.5 mi
51m
SR 37
27.3 mi
37m
SR 145
16.2 mi
24m
I 74
9.2 mi
10m
State Road 56
8.9 mi
12m
Borman Expressway
8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 61 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,337 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~868 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 28 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cannelton, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on Washington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Washington Street
2
Turn right onto SR 66
0.4 mi·1 min·State Road 66
3
Turn left onto SR 237
5.0 mi·7 min·Indiana State Road 237
4
Turn right onto SR 37
27 mi·37 min·SR 37
5
Turn straight onto SR 64
1.1 mi·1 min·SR 64
6
Continue on SR 145
16 mi·24 min·SR 145
7
Turn right onto SR 56
1.7 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on SR 56
8.9 mi·12 min·State Road 56
9
Continue on US 150; SR 37; SR 56
259 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
10
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
0.1 mi·8 sec·North Gospel Street
11
Continue on SR 37
41 mi·51 min·North Gospel Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 69
48 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi·3 min
Exit 163Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
14
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi·10 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
20
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.0 mi·10 min·Borman Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
25
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
26
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 18-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion that can accumulate during peak hours on smaller state roads. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for at least one substantial break to refresh your focus, especially since the lack of high-speed highways can make the distance feel longer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as relying on local roads means you may not always have immediate access to the large-scale service plazas found on major interstates. Since you are navigating through various local streets, keep your GPS updated to ensure you stay on the correct path through the frequent turns required by this specific itinerary.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.9 miles from Cannelton, IN, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 69 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.9 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Cannelton, 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 Cannelton, IN
This is one driving day of about 311.9 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Cannelton, 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 134.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.1 and 310.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|SR 56 / North Main Street
Turn right onto SR 56 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
300.6 mi into trip|~6h 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
310 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
310.2 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.86 one way
$103.71 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$56.49
$112.97
premium
$5.18
$63.64
$127.29
diesel
$5.35
$65.70
$131.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.6
1
$32.75
$14.97
Efficient EV
78
0
$27.29
$12.48
EV Truck/SUV
124.8
1
$43.67
$19.96
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Cannelton, IN
Afternoon
in Cannelton on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Hammond, IN
Afternoon
in Hammond on Wednesday
Local time
2:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNE 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
68°F
Bloomington, IN
156 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
6h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 301.1
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 10.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on experience, as this trip features a 0% highway share and relies entirely on local routes like State Road 66, Indiana State Road 237, and North Main Street. You will find that this is a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you navigate through smaller communities and regional thoroughfares. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, the road surface and traffic patterns will shift frequently as you transition between rural stretches and more developed areas. Because the route is composed of local roads rather than major expressways, you should anticipate a slower, more deliberate pace behind the wheel. Expect the drive to demand consistent focus rather than allowing for the cruise-control ease of a typical highway journey.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.1 miles in near SR 56 / North Main 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 21 significant decision points across 311.9 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 50.1 miles (SR 56 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
952 ft407 ft
Total Climb
848 ft
Total Descent
655 ft
Highest Point
952 ft
~178.2 mi in
Elevation Range
545 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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!
Top landmarks
•State Street Commercial Historic District — historic district in Indiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 311.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.1 miles (SR 56 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 300.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hammond, IN before the return drive.
