This 186.3-mile drive from Morristown, Indiana to Hammond, Indiana is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes. With 88% of the journey on highways, it's a focused drive primarily utilizing I-65 and I-465. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. You'll find the longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 129.1 miles on I-65, so plan for a consistent pace. This route is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel over leisurely exploration, fitting comfortably within a single day.
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
93.2 miles from Morristown, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
129.1 mi
2h 20m
East Main Street
14.4 mi
21m
I 465
11.1 mi
12m
I 69
9.8 mi
11m
Borman Expressway
8 mi
10m
I 865
5 mi
5m
West Main Street
4.2 mi
6m
173rd Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 129.1 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morristown, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on US 52
4.2 mi·6 min·West Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 52
156 ft·2 sec·East Main Street
3
Continue on US 52
14 mi·21 min·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 52
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 52
Toward I 465 North, US 52 WestUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 69; I 465
9.8 mi·11 min·I 69; I 465
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
7
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
8
Continue on I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 865
5.0 mi·5 min·I 865
Exit 25Toward I 865 West: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 65; US 52
12 mi·13 min·I 65; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
13
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
8.0 mi·10 min·Borman Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 2Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis BoulevardUse the slight left lane.
18
Turn straight onto SR 152
0.3 mi·33 sec·Indianapolis Boulevard
19
Turn left onto 173rd Street
1.0 mi·2 min·173rd Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Columbia Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Columbia Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 38-minute duration, this 186.3-mile trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider leaving Morristown in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic on I-65 and I-465. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 129.1 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29, and while there are opportunities to refuel, it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your departure time based on your preference.
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 93.2 miles from Morristown, IN, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.1 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 41 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 miles or 1h 51m 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 56m
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 Morristown, 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 Morristown, IN
This is one driving day of about 186.3 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Morristown, 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 129.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.6 and 184.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.6 mi into trip|~27m in|US 52
Turn left onto US 52 toward I 465 North, US 52 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 465 North, US 52 West
6
40.7 mi into trip|~53m in|I 865
Keep slight left at fork onto I 865 toward I 865 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 25
Toward I 865 West: Chicago
8
175.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
184.5 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
184.7 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
$29.13 one way
$58.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.98
$63.96
premium
$4.89
$35.85
$71.70
diesel
$5.61
$41.13
$82.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.9
0
$19.56
$8.94
Efficient EV
46.6
0
$16.30
$7.45
EV Truck/SUV
74.5
0
$26.08
$11.92
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Morristown, IN
Late night
in Morristown on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Late night
in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Mulberry, IN
93 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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 38m 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
~33 min detour
$20
near mile 173.5
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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 186.3-mile route, with 88% of it spent on major interstates like I-65 and I-465. This means you'll experience a consistent pace for long stretches, including a significant 129.1-mile segment solely on I-65. While the drive is predominantly on high-speed roads, you will transition onto East Main Street as you approach your destination. The character of the drive is largely about efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, more winding roads, making it a straightforward journey.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and East Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in near US 52.
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 15 significant decision points across 186.3 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 18.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 175.1 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 3h 38m. Total distance: 186.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.1 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 18.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 175.1 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hammond, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
