Hammond, IN
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Hammond.
Regional hub
Population
Fair
Truck Parking
Midwest
Region
Average Rates Per Mile
| Equipment Type | Rate / Mile |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.48 |
| Reefer | $2.85 |
| Flatbed | $3.06 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
I-80/I-94 (Borman Expressway)I-90 (Indiana Toll Road)I-65US-41US-20
Top Industries
Steel production
Petroleum refining
Intermodal logistics
Chemical processing
Heavy manufacturing
Major Distribution Centers
Walmart Hammond DC
Amazon MDW2 Monee IL (nearby)
CSX 59th Street intermodal yard (nearby Chicago)
Top Shippers
C
Cleveland-Cliffs (ArcelorMittal)B
BP Whiting RefineryU
US Steel Gary WorksC
CargillP
PraxairNearby Ports
Nearest major port accessible via I-80/I-94 (Borman Expressway)
Truck Stops
Pilot Travel Center (I-80/94 Exit 3 Hammond)
Flying J (I-65 Exit 253 Merrillville)
Love's Travel Stop (I-65 Exit 247 Crown Point)
Challenges
- Borman Expressway (I-80/94) is one of the most congested freight corridors in the US, steel mill and refinery traffic creating heavy industrial truck volumes, frequent construction and lane closures, air quality concerns in the Calumet industrial corridor, and tight urban roads near industrial facilities.
- Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March
- Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways
- High competition from large carrier fleets based in the region
Opportunities
- Central location provides access to loads heading in every direction
- Massive intermodal and rail hub infrastructure in Chicago area
- Strong agricultural freight during harvest season
- Lower cost of living and operating costs improve net margins
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Harvest season (August-November) generates enormous grain and produce volume. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Winter weather (November-March) causes delays but also rate spikes. Spring flooding can disrupt river-adjacent routes.
Trucking in Hammond — FAQ
Average rates per mile out of Hammond: Dry Van $2.48, Reefer $2.85, Flatbed $3.06. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Hammond is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-80/94 Exit 3 Hammond), Flying J (I-65 Exit 253 Merrillville), Love's Travel Stop (I-65 Exit 247 Crown Point). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Hammond freight market include Cleveland-Cliffs (ArcelorMittal), BP Whiting Refinery, US Steel Gary Works, Cargill, Praxair. Key industries driving freight demand are steel production, petroleum refining, intermodal logistics.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Hammond include: Borman Expressway (I-80/94) is one of the most congested freight corridors in the US, steel mill and refinery traffic creating heavy industrial truck volumes, frequent construction and lane closures, air quality concerns in the Calumet industrial corridor, and tight urban roads near industrial facilities.; Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March; Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways. However, opportunities include central location provides access to loads heading in every direction.