Monticello, IN to Hammond, IN is 88.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via I 65, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. The route is predominantly highway, making for a straightforward drive. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Monticello, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
57 mi
1h 2m
West Broadway Street
15.6 mi
24m
Borman Expressway
8 mi
10m
West 100 North
4 mi
5m
173rd Street
1 mi
2m
Indianapolis Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
North Railroad Street West
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 57 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on US 24; SR 39
286 ft·17 sec·North Railroad Street East
2
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39
30 ft·6 sec·West Washington Street
3
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39
435 ft·16 sec·North Railroad Street West
4
Turn right onto US 24; US 421
16 mi·24 min·West Broadway Street
5
Turn straight onto US 24; US 231
4.0 mi·5 min·West 100 North
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
7
Merge onto I 65
57 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.0 mi·10 min·Borman Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
12
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
13
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, single-day trip of under 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving mid-morning is often a good strategy to avoid peak commuter traffic. The $14 fuel cost estimate suggests you won't need to worry too much about finding gas stations, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. Since the longest stretch on the highway is 57 miles, you could easily push through without a stop, or take a brief break if needed. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from I 65 to local roads near Hammond.
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 44.2 miles from Monticello, IN, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 19 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
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 Monticello, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monticello, IN
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Monticello, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 57 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 87.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
8
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
6
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|173rd Street
Turn left onto 173rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.80 one way
$27.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.16
$30.31
premium
$4.89
$16.99
$33.99
diesel
$5.61
$19.50
$38.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Monticello, IN
Morning
in Monticello on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Late night
in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 52m 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 76.2
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 74% of this 88.3-mile drive on highways, primarily I 65. Expect a longest stretch of 57 miles on I 65 before transitioning to West Broadway Street and then the Borman Expressway. This means a significant portion is highway cruising, but you'll notice the change as you approach the urban areas of Northwest Indiana, with potentially more exits and merging traffic.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and West Broadway Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 88.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 52m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Hammond, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.5 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hammond, IN before heading back.
