This 253.6-mile drive from Loogootee, Indiana, to Hammond, Indiana, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. Predominantly on interstates, with an 89% highway share, the route focuses on efficient travel. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I-65, including a significant 134.7-mile stretch without needing to exit. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, this is a straightforward trip through the Midwest. Plan for one stop along the way for a break or to refuel.
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
126.8 miles from Loogootee, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
134.7 mi
2h 26m
I 69
74.5 mi
1h 22m
North John F Kennedy Avenue
16.8 mi
22m
I 74
9.2 mi
10m
Borman Expressway
8 mi
10m
65
3.9 mi
4m
173rd Street
1 mi
2m
Indianapolis Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loogootee, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on US 231
17 mi·22 min·North John F Kennedy Avenue
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
3
Merge onto I 69
74 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
1.4 mi·3 min
Exit 163Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
5
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi·10 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
11
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.0 mi·10 min·Borman Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
16
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
17
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 51-minute duration, this trip from Loogootee to Hammond is comfortably manageable in one day. To make the most of your time, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Hammond. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 134.7 miles on I-65, so plan your one recommended stop strategically, perhaps midway or just before this section, to break up the driving. Keep your estimated $40 fuel budget in mind and ensure your tank is full before setting out.
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 126.8 miles from Loogootee, IN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 27m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Loogootee, 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 Loogootee, IN
This is one driving day of about 253.6 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Loogootee, 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 I 65 for about 134.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 91.6 and 251.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
7
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
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 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
8
251.7 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard
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 2
Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis...
8
251.9 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.65 one way
$79.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.53
$87.06
premium
$4.89
$48.80
$97.61
diesel
$5.61
$55.99
$111.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.63
$12.17
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.19
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.50
$16.23
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Loogootee, IN
Night
in Loogootee on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Night
in Hammond on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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 51m 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
~34 min detour
$20
near mile 244.8
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this journey, covering 89% of the 253.6 miles on major roads. The primary artery is I-65, where you'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 134.7 miles. This means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal turns. While I-69 also plays a role, the overall profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient, albeit potentially monotonous, interstate travel rather than winding country roads. North John F Kennedy Avenue marks the approach to your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 91.6 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 16 significant decision points across 253.6 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 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 253.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 miles on I 65. 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 Hammond, 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 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.3 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 4.9 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 Hammond, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
