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Trip from Cedar Lake, IN to South Bend, IN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

85.1 mi

137 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Lake County, Indiana, United States

Cedar Lake, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States of America

South Bend, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 85.1-mile drive from Cedar Lake, Indiana, to South Bend, Indiana, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 55 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, it primarily utilizes the Indiana Toll Road, offering a predictable journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest region. The route is characterized by its local, turn-heavy nature, suggesting a need for attention rather than a purely hands-off highway cruise. This makes it a practical choice for those looking for a manageable drive within the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

42.5 miles from Cedar Lake, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Indiana Toll Road 55.3 mi 1h
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 9.9 mi 12m
West 109th Avenue 3.4 mi 5m
Borman Expressway 2.6 mi 3m
Cline Avenue 2.5 mi 6m
North Michigan Street 1.9 mi 4m
I 80 1.1 mi 3m
West Lakeshore Drive 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Indiana Toll Road — 55.3 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Lake, IN and South Bend, IN.

1

Start on Lauerman Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Lauerman Street
2

Turn left onto Birch Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Birch Street
3

Turn left onto West 137th Avenue

0.2 mi · 54 sec · West 137th Avenue
4

Turn right onto Doffin Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Doffin Street
5

Continue on West 135th Place

0.2 mi · 44 sec · West 135th Place
6

Turn right onto Parrish Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Parrish Avenue
7

Turn right onto West 133rd Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · West 133rd Avenue
8

Continue on West Lakeshore Drive

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Lakeshore Drive
9

Enter roundabout onto Cline Avenue

155 ft · 4 sec · Cline Avenue
10

Continue on Cline Avenue

2.5 mi · 6 min · Cline Avenue
11

Turn right onto US 231

3.4 mi · 5 min · West 109th Avenue
12

At end of road, turn right onto US 231; SR 55

139 ft · 7 sec · South Court Street
13

Turn left onto US 231; SR 55

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14

Turn left onto West 113th Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 113th Avenue
15

Turn left onto SR 53

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Broadway
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto East 109th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · East 109th Avenue
17

Continue on East 109th Avenue

131 ft · 4 sec · East 109th Avenue
18

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
19

Merge onto I 65

9.9 mi · 12 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
22

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

2.6 mi · 3 min · Borman Expressway
23

Take the exit onto I 80

0.9 mi · 2 min · I 80
Exit 16 Toward I 80 East, I 90 Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.3 mi · 49 sec · I 80
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto I 80; I 90

55 mi · 1 hr · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
27

Turn right onto SR 933

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Michigan Street
28

Enter roundabout onto SR 933; BUS US 31

156 ft · 8 sec · North Michigan Street
29

Continue on SR 933; BUS US 31

0.1 mi · 27 sec · North Michigan Street
30

Turn left onto East Navarre Street

131 ft · 4 sec · East Navarre Street
31

Arrive at destination

East Navarre Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip offers great flexibility for when you decide to depart. You can easily tackle this drive in one go, with no need to split it into overnight stays. Keep an eye on your fuel, as while the estimated cost is only $13, it's always wise to fill up before heading out. Pay close attention to the turns, especially as you transition from the Indiana Toll Road to local roads like Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and West 109th Avenue, as this is where the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive will be most apparent.

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 42.5 miles from Cedar Lake, IN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.3 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 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 42.5 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Bend, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cedar Lake, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cedar Lake, IN

This is one driving day of about 85.1 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Cedar Lake, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Indiana Toll Road for about 55.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chesterton, IN

43 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Lansing, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chesterton, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Cedar Lake, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 17min in 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

The Skillet Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Bend, Indiana

1.8 mi

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Merrillville, Indiana

3 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

First break · 17min in 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.3 mi

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.3 mi

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

The Skillet Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 3–7 pm

+15742346069

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

Unity Gardens Inc.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15742222266

Visit website

Generations Adventureplex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Mishawaka, Indiana

Hours: 3–9 pm

+15748551095

Visit website

Moraine Nature Preserve

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Valparaiso, Indiana

+12199819183

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 26.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
8.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street

Turn left onto US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
10.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | SR 53 / Broadway

Turn left onto SR 53 / Broadway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
21.7 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

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 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...
8
25.5 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 80

Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90

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 16 Toward I 80 East, I 90
8
26.4 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road 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 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.30 one way

$26.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.61 $29.22
premium $4.89 $16.38 $32.75
diesel $5.61 $18.79 $37.58

Estimated Tolls: $3.87

Indiana Toll Road (55.3 mi) $3.87

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

$13

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.5 0 $8.94 $4.08
Efficient EV 21.3 0 $7.45 $3.40
EV Truck/SUV 34 0 $11.91 $5.45

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (67% 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

Cedar Lake, IN

Morning in Cedar Lake on Tuesday

Local time

6:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Bend, IN

Morning in South Bend on Tuesday

Local time

7:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

3 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 55m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 near mile 35.2
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a highway share of only 4. While you'll experience a significant stretch of 55.3 miles on the Indiana Toll Road, the overall character leans towards more engaged driving. This means you'll likely navigate a mix of faster highway sections and more intricate local roads as you approach your destination. The drive isn't a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a route that requires you to be more aware of your surroundings and turns.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.3 mi on Indiana Toll Road.

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 8.5 miles in near US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.1 miles you will encounter 24 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 8.5 miles (US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Cedar Lake, IN and South Bend, IN, road signs point toward Detroit and Indiana Toll Road East.

Detroit

21.7 mi in | ~39m

Indiana Toll Road East

26.4 mi in | ~47m | via I 80

About the Cities

Arriving in South Bend, IN

Full guide →

South Bend is in Northern Indiana. The city's name is drawn from the fact that it's situated on the southernmost bend in the St. Joseph River. Together with neighboring Mishawaka they form a continuous urban area of about 325,000 (2020). South Bend is the home of the University of Notre Dame, but is also the former home of many large companies such as Studebaker, Oliver Chilled Plow, and Singer. The area is now home to Crowe-Chizek, AM General (which makes military vehicles.), Bosch, Honeywell, and Woodwind & Brasswind. The city hopes to grow with the undertaking of a new nano-technology campus near the city, which has already brought new contracts for factories and businesses around the city of Southbend.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 85.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.3 miles on Indiana Toll Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.87 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 South Bend, 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 8.5 miles (US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 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 South Bend, IN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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