Traveling from Hammond to Thorntown covers 128.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 29 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating through the Midwest, you will transition from the industrial corridors near Hammond onto local roads like IN-47. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to power through the distance or break it up as you see fit. It is a straightforward route that moves you efficiently through the Indiana landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.4 miles from Hammond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
112.5 mi
2h 2m
Borman Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
IN-47
4.3 mi
7m
173rd Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Southeastern Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Indianapolis Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 112.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, IN and Thorntown, 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
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 146Toward SR 47: Sheridan, Thorntown
12
Turn right onto SR 47
4.3 mi·7 min·IN-47
13
Continue on SR 47
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
SR 47
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2.5-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic near the Hammond area. Since the entire route is manageable in one go, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics or complex rest-stop planning. Keep in mind that the majority of your time will be spent on local roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and road conditions. Given the $20 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Hammond is a smart way to ensure a smooth trip without needing to hunt for stations mid-drive. Enjoy the freedom of a route that allows you to reach Thorntown in under three hours without the need for forced stops.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from Hammond, IN, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.5 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 15m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thorntown, 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 128.7 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Hammond, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 112.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 123.7 — 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.
6
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward SR 47: Sheridan, Thorntown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 146
Toward SR 47: Sheridan, Thorntown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.12 one way
$40.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.09
$44.18
premium
$4.89
$24.77
$49.53
diesel
$5.61
$28.42
$56.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
EV Truck/SUV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Hammond, IN
Late night
in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Thorntown, IN
Morning
in Thorntown on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Shelby, IN
64 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
17 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
2h 29m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
~34 min detour
$20
near mile 8.9
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?
This journey presents a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you start with a significant 112.5-mile stretch on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and Borman Expressway, the character of the road shifts as you transition to smaller state routes. Only 10% of this trip is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local infrastructure. Expect a mix of high-speed transit and more technical, winding sections as you approach your destination. The contrast between the initial expressway and the final miles on IN-47 ensures the drive remains engaging from start to finish.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.5 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 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 128.7 miles you will encounter 10 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.
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!
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 128.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (10%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.5 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Thorntown, IN before heading back.
