Connecting Warsaw to Hammond, this 100.5-mile journey across Northern Indiana is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable excursion for travelers moving within the Midwest. While the route is direct, you should prepare for a turn-heavy local experience rather than a seamless highway cruise. This path is ideal if you are looking for a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Indiana locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Warsaw, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lake City Highway
63.5 mi
1h 21m
I 80
13.6 mi
19m
Indiana Toll Road
9.5 mi
11m
North Detroit Street
2.1 mi
3m
173rd Street
1 mi
2m
Indianapolis Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
East Center Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Lake City Highway
— 63.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warsaw, IN and Hammond, IN.
1
Start on East Center Street
66 ft·8 sec·East Center Street
2
Turn left onto SR 15
2.1 mi·3 min·North Detroit Street
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·37 sec
4
Merge onto US 30
63 mi·1 hr 21 min·Lake City Highway
5
Take the exit
9.2 mi·13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
6
Turn left
394 ft·9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
7
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
8
Continue on this road
411 ft·10 sec·this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 80; I 90
9.5 mi·11 min·Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 80
0.6 mi·1 min·I 80
Exit 21Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.1 mi·13 sec·I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi·17 min·I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 14-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 100.5-mile route without planning for scheduled stops, though keeping your fuel budget around $15 in mind will help you stay on track. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, watch for changing speed limits and intersection traffic that can influence your arrival time. Focus on navigating the Lake City Highway portion early in your trip, as this 63.5-mile stretch represents the core of your travel time. Staying alert during the transition to the Indiana Toll Road is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in 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 50.3 miles from Warsaw, IN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.5 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
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 Warsaw, 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 Warsaw, IN
This is one driving day of about 100.5 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Warsaw, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lake City Highway for about 63.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.3 and 98.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
8
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 80
Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
8
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
8
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West
8
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.71 one way
$31.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.25
$34.50
premium
$4.89
$19.34
$38.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.19
$44.38
Estimated Tolls: $0.67
Indiana Toll Road
(9.5 mi)$0.67
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.2
0
$10.55
$4.82
Efficient EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
EV Truck/SUV
40.2
0
$14.07
$6.43
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Warsaw, IN
Late night
in Warsaw on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hammond, IN
Late night
in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Valparaiso, IN
50 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
6 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 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience that shifts gears as you move toward Hammond. You will spend roughly 13% of your time on highways like I-80 and the Indiana Toll Road, which provide brief, fast-paced segments amidst the local navigation. A significant portion of your journey involves the Lake City Highway, where you will tackle the longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.5 miles. Be prepared for a turn-heavy atmosphere, as the road requires your full attention compared to a simple interstate grind. Overall, the character of this drive is defined by its transition from local roads to major regional thoroughfares.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.5 mi on Lake City Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.3 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 15 significant decision points across 100.5 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 75.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.1 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Warsaw, IN to Hammond, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
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 14m. Total distance: 100.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.5 miles on Lake City Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.67 in tolls one way, starting with Indiana Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.1 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hammond, IN before heading back.
