Hammond, IN to Jonesboro, IN is 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 29m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip entirely within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is mostly highway driving, so it's a relatively quick connection between these two points. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Hammond area down towards central Indiana without a lot of fuss.
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
82.1 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
86.3 mi
1h 34m
SR 26
57.5 mi
1h 24m
Borman Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Strawtown Pike
4.6 mi
5m
East Hi Way Drive
2.6 mi
3m
West 500 S
1.1 mi
1m
173rd Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 86.3 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,771 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~978 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 48 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 Hammond, IN and Jonesboro, 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 11Toward I 65 South: IndianapolisUse 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
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 172Toward SR 26: Rossville, LafayetteUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 26
57 mi·1 hr 24 min·SR 26
13
Turn left onto SR 37
4.6 mi·5 min·Strawtown Pike
14
Turn right onto US 35; SR 22
1.1 mi·1 min·West 500 S
15
Continue on US 35; SR 22
2.6 mi·3 min·East Hi Way Drive
16
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
With a driving time of under 3.5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. To make the most of your drive, consider leaving Hammond, IN in the morning after breakfast to avoid rush hour. You'll only have one stop planned, so you can decide on the fly if you need a break during the 86.3-mile stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move off the main highways, and budget around $26 for gas. The shift to surface roads means paying closer attention to speed limits and local traffic patterns as you approach Jonesboro, IN.
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 82.1 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.3 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.1 miles or 1h 35m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, 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 164.2 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 86.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 82.1 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 86.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 97.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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.
5
11.3 mi into trip|~18m in|I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
97.5 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 26: Rossville, Lafayette
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 172
Toward SR 26: Rossville, Lafayette
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.46 one way
$50.91 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$27.91
$55.83
premium
$4.93
$31.86
$63.71
diesel
$5.60
$36.20
$72.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.3
0
$17.24
$7.88
Efficient EV
41.1
0
$14.37
$6.57
EV Truck/SUV
65.7
0
$22.99
$10.51
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.
Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Hammond, IN
Morning
in Hammond on Friday
Local time
10:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:38PM EDT until September 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:26PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Jonesboro, IN
Morning
in Jonesboro on Friday
Local time
11:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:38PM EDT until September 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:26PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
64°F
Lafayette, IN
82 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 29m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this 164.2-mile drive is on highways, with the longest stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway covering 86.3 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you get closer to Jonesboro, IN. Expect a mixed driving experience with some sections offering faster travel and others more local traffic. The change from expressway to SR 26 will likely mean more intersections and potentially slower speeds as you enter more populated areas.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.3 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
882 ft515 ft
Total Climb
626 ft
Total Descent
375 ft
Highest Point
882 ft
~152.5 mi in
Elevation Range
367 ft
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 Jonesboro, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Lafayette along the way.
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 3h 29m. Total distance: 164.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.3 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (I 80; I 94; US 6 / Borman Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
