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Trip from Hammond, IN to Columbia, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 28m

Distance

216.6 mi

349 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 16m ★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Columbia, IN, IN

Columbia, IN

Jess Londoño

Trip Overview

Spanning 216.6 miles across the Midwest, this trip from Hammond to Columbia is a manageable journey that typically takes 4 hours and 28 minutes. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, as it is designed for a straightforward, one-day itinerary. Budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance, which is quite reasonable for a trip of this length. Because the route relies on a mix of thoroughfares like the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, East Main Street, and US 52, you should expect a varied driving experience. While it is a relatively efficient trek, the turn-heavy nature of the local segments means you will want to stay alert behind the wheel.

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

108.3 miles from Hammond, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 129.3 mi 2h 20m
East Main Street 18 mi 26m
US 52 14.9 mi 22m
I 465 12.5 mi 14m
State Street 9.9 mi 14m
I 69 9.3 mi 10m
Borman Expressway 8.2 mi 11m
I 865 5.1 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 129.3 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Columbia, IN.

1

Start on Columbia Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Columbia Avenue
2

Turn left onto 173rd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 173rd Street
3

Turn right onto Southeastern Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Southeastern Avenue
4

Turn left onto 175th Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · 175th Street
5

Turn right onto SR 152

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Indianapolis Boulevard
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Detroit
7

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

8.2 mi · 11 min · Borman Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 34 sec
Exit 11 Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 65

129 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 865

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 865
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 465

13 mi · 14 min · I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 69; I 465

9.3 mi · 10 min · I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 52
Exit 47 Toward US 52 East: Brookville Road Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52

15 mi · 21 min · US 52
Toward New Palestine Use the right lane.
16

Enter roundabout onto US 52

166 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
17

Continue on US 52

18 mi · 26 min · East Main Street
18

Continue on US 52

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
19

Continue on US 52; SR 44

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West 2nd Street
20

Continue on SR 44

9.9 mi · 14 min · State Street
21

Turn right onto South 650 W

2.1 mi · 5 min · South 650 W
22

Continue on West Columbia Road

3.7 mi · 8 min · West Columbia Road
23

Turn right onto South County Road 375 West

7 ft · 0 sec · South County Road 375 West
24

Arrive at destination

South County Road 375 West

Trip Plan

Since this is a 216.6-mile trip, departing early in the morning provides you with the best flexibility to handle the turn-heavy local sections during daylight hours. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the 4-hour and 28-minute duration, making it easy to pace yourself according to your own schedule. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind, and try to refuel before you transition away from the main highway stretches where service stations are more frequent. A helpful tip for this specific route is to pay close attention to navigation when switching from the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway onto local roads, as the turn-heavy layout can be easy to misjudge.

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 108.3 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 48 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.3 miles or 2h 3m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 216.6 miles and 4h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Hammond, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 129.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Speedway, IN

108 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.3 miles from Hammond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitestown, Indiana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.2

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

Puccini's Pizza Pasta - Clearwater

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.5 mi

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

1.4 mi

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.2

Whitestown, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

Puccini's Pizza Pasta - Clearwater

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 154.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13178424028

Visit website

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 154.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13175165978

Visit website

Giovanni's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Munster, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12198366220

Visit website

Tacos Toluca

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 154.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14632445372

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.8

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

Honest Indianapolis Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 154.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178272137

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.5

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 154.7

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

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.

7
10.1 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 11 Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
6
10.5 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
140.6 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | I 865

Keep slight right at fork onto I 865

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
167.5 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | US 52

Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 East: Brookville Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 47 Toward US 52 East: Brookville Road
7
167.8 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | US 52

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward New Palestine

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward New Palestine

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.86 one way

$67.73 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.18 $74.36
premium $4.89 $41.68 $83.37
diesel $5.61 $47.82 $95.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65 0 $22.74 $10.40
Efficient EV 54.2 0 $18.95 $8.66
EV Truck/SUV 86.6 1 $30.32 $13.86

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Hammond, IN

Night in Hammond on Saturday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, IN

Late night in Columbia on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

16 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

4h 28m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a trip that shifts significantly in tempo, as only 23% of your journey is spent on highways. The drive starts with a substantial 129.3-mile stretch on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, which serves as the most consistent portion of your travel. Beyond this primary artery, the route transitions into a turn-heavy local drive that demands more active attention than a standard interstate cruise. Navigating through the transition from US 52 onto East Main Street requires you to adjust to changing road conditions frequently. This combination of long highway stretches and technical local roads ensures the drive remains engaging rather than monotonous.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.3 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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.

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 216.6 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 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.

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 Hammond, IN to Columbia, IN, road signs begin pointing toward New Palestine along the way.

New Palestine

167.8 mi in | ~3h 10m | via US 52

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 216.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 129.3 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Columbia, 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbia, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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