Sonic Drive-In
Around the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+17654477700
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
228.7 mi
368 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blooming Grove, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 228.7 miles across the Indiana heartland, this journey from Hammond to Blooming Grove typically takes about 4 hours and 44 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan to set aside roughly $35 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. You will navigate primarily via local roads like 173rd Street, 175th Street, and Southeastern Avenue rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward Midwest trip that moves you from the northern reaches of the state toward a more rural destination, making it a functional choice for those who prefer local roads over highway traffic.
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
114.3 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 129.3 mi | 2h 20m |
| East Main Street | 18 mi | 26m |
| State Street | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| US 52 | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| I 465 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Vine Street | 10.7 mi | 18m |
| I 69 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Borman Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Blooming Grove, IN.
Start on Columbia Avenue
Turn left onto 173rd Street
Turn right onto Southeastern Avenue
Turn left onto 175th Street
Turn right onto SR 152
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Keep slight right at fork onto I 865
Merge onto I 465
Merge onto I 69; I 465
Take the exit onto US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
Enter roundabout onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52; SR 44
Continue on SR 44
Turn left onto SR 44
Turn right onto SR 1; SR 44
Turn right onto SR 1
Turn right onto Stone Church Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a turn-heavy route without highway stretches, aim to depart early in the day to avoid navigating complex intersections during peak traffic or low-light conditions. You only need to plan for one major stop, which provides a perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel while keeping your $35 budget on track. Given the frequent turns, keeping a reliable navigation app active is essential to ensure you stay on the correct path through the local road network. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns, so check your route status before heading out. Focus on staying alert during the various transitions between streets to ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 10m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blooming Grove, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hammond, 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 Hammond, IN
This is one driving day of about 228.7 miles and 4h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 114.3 miles from Hammond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Lafayette, Indiana
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+17654477700
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Indianapolis, Indiana
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Merrillville, Indiana
Around the midpoint, short detour
Lafayette, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+17654477700
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+13178971042
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12195001370
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Munster, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm
+13174718100
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
+13177449622
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+13179855091
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+13176692057
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12193233948
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 167.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 865
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 East: Brookville Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward New Palestine
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$35.75 one way
$71.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.01 | $88.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.49 | $100.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.01 | $10.98 |
| Efficient EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.5 | 1 | $32.02 | $14.64 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hammond on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Blooming Grove on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be cruising on high-speed interstates; instead, you will be navigating the intricate network of local streets and avenues that connect these two Indiana points. The path lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, meaning the character of the road changes frequently as you maneuver through different intersections and turns. This route feels less like a fast commute and more like a deliberate, hands-on driving experience. Be prepared for a steady, focused pace as you transition away from the Hammond area toward the quieter surroundings of Blooming Grove.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 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 19 significant decision points across 228.7 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 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.6 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hammond, IN to Blooming Grove, IN, road signs begin pointing toward New Palestine along the way.
New Palestine
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 228.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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