Hardee's
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13172919270
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
235.1 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Fair
4 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Redding, IN
Jan van der Wolf
This 233.1-mile journey from Redding to Hammond, Indiana, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll primarily navigate via Hwy 37 and I-465 West, with a short segment on Stevens Lane, making for a relatively straightforward drive within the Midwest region. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35, and with only one recommended stop, it's an efficient route. This drive offers a practical way to connect these two Indiana locations without requiring an overnight stay.
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
117.6 miles from Redding, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 134.7 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 69 | 47.6 mi | 53m |
| SR 37 | 25.3 mi | 31m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Redding, IN and Hammond, IN.
Start on Old State Hwy 37
Turn left onto Stevens Lane
Turn left onto SR 37
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Merge onto I 74; I 465
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit onto US 52
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto SR 152
Turn left onto 173rd Street
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour duration and turn-heavy nature of this 233.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Redding to maximize your daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one suggested stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself, but be mindful of the frequent turns which can extend travel time. The estimated fuel cost is $35, so ensure your tank is full before setting off. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the many turns on Hwy 37 and Stevens Lane could easily lead you astray if you're not paying attention.
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.
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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 17m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Redding, 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 Redding, IN
This is one driving day of about 235.1 miles and 4h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.6 miles from Redding, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Indianapolis, Indiana
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13172919270
Trish's Red Bird Cafe
Dayton, Indiana
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Merrillville, Indiana
Top Coffee Stop
Merrillville, Indiana
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
Founders Grounds Coffee Company
Speedway, Indiana
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13172919270
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Dayton, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+17652966964
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12195001370
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 10 am–7:30 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Munster, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12198366220
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+13173889788
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bloomington, IN
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18128762121
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bloomington, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18128765778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Merrillville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Speedway, Indiana
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+13179815358
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12193233948
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm
+12192132613
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12196629165
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Crown Point, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12193108078
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Bloomington, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Bloomington, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Bloomington, Indiana
+18665212658
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Bloomington, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bedford, Indiana
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18122799471
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Indianapolis, IN
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13174555289
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 73.1 and 233.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$36.76 one way
$73.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.36 | $80.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.24 | $90.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.91 | $103.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.69 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.57 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.91 | $15.05 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Redding on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Hammond on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be spending your time on surface streets and local roads rather than high-speed interstates. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction. The drive will likely feel more like navigating through towns and communities rather than covering vast distances on a single highway, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape as you progress.
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 73.1 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 235.1 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 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 235.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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