Hammond, IN to Salem, IN is 246 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region toward its southern part. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to interstate travel. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short driving time, this route is manageable for a casual road trip.
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
123 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
129.3 mi
2h 20m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
59.2 mi
1h 7m
North 8th Street
14.5 mi
20m
I 465
12.5 mi
14m
Borman Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
I 69
5.7 mi
6m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
Liberty Avenue
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 129.3 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,896 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~968 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 20 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 Salem, 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
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
5.7 mi·6 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 44Toward I 70: Dayton, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
143 ft·2 sec
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 70
59 mi·1 hr 7 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 149AToward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
19
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Pike
1.3 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Pike
20
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 5th Street
21
Turn left onto Richmond Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Richmond Avenue
22
Continue on North D Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·North D Street
23
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227
150 ft·1 sec·Chester Boulevard
24
Continue on US 27; SR 227
14 mi·20 min·North 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto US 27; SR 44
0.3 mi·19 sec·West Seminary Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn slight right onto US 27; SR 44
0.3 mi·20 sec·College Corner Avenue
27
Continue on US 27
2.1 mi·2 min·Liberty Avenue
28
Turn right onto South Salem Road
0.6 mi·2 min·South Salem Road
29
Turn slight left onto County Road 200 East
0.5 mi·2 min·County Road 200 East
30
At end of road, turn left onto County Road 250 South
7 ft·0 sec·County Road 250 South
31
Arrive at destination
County Road 250 South
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 49m estimated drive time, departing Hammond, IN in the morning allows ample time to reach Salem, IN before evening. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, planning for one stop is recommended, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and services might be less frequent on the surface road portions. A good tip is to have your route clearly mapped out, as the majority of the drive is on surface roads rather than a single, continuous highway.
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 123 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 2h 19m 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 19m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 246 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 164.1 — 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.
8
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
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 44
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Dayton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.90 one way
$81.80 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$44.55
$89.10
premium
$5.18
$50.20
$100.40
diesel
$5.35
$51.81
$103.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.83
$11.81
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.44
$15.74
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Hammond, IN
Afternoon
in Hammond on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 9:48PM EDT until June 4 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Salem, IN
Afternoon
in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NE 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 9:48PM EDT until June 4 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis 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
4h 49m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$20
near mile 8.5
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 13% of your 246-mile drive on highways, meaning most of the 4h 49m trip will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 129.3 miles along the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. After this, expect to navigate through towns and more varied terrain. The profile suggests a drive where you'll notice frequent changes in speed limits and scenery as you pass through communities.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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?
10/10
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 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 22 significant decision points across 246 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 163.9 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
1,044 ft599 ft
Total Climb
658 ft
Total Descent
214 ft
Highest Point
1,044 ft
~246 mi in
Elevation Range
444 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 Salem, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis 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 4h 49m. Total distance: 246 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Salem, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 163.9 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Salem, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
