Clarksville, IN to South Bend, IN is 250.9 miles and takes about 5h 4m via North Meridian Street and I-65, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface streets, with a single recommended stop for this roughly 5-hour drive. It's a straightforward route for a single day of travel.
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
125.4 miles from Clarksville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Meridian Street
119.3 mi
2h 28m
I 65
100.2 mi
1h 48m
I 69
14 mi
16m
Keystone Parkway
5 mi
7m
I 465
2.9 mi
3m
South Michigan Street
2.5 mi
6m
South Emerson Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
I-465 WB
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Meridian Street
— 119.3 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,790 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~398 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on East Brooks Avenue
32 ft·4 sec·East Brooks Avenue
2
Turn right onto Eastern Boulevard
0.2 mi·45 sec·Eastern Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 31
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 31
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
100 mi·1 hr 48 min·I 65
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 103Toward Southport RoadUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn slight right
176 ft·4 sec
8
Turn straight onto East Southport Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Southport Road
9
Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue
2.5 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
11
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
12
Continue on I 69; I 465
12 mi·13 min·I 69; I 465
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
14
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
15
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi·3 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward Keystone AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right
172 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Enter roundabout
113 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
20
Continue
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
21
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft·11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
22
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
23
Merge onto US 31
119 mi·2 hr 28 min·North Meridian Street
24
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
128 ft·6 sec·South Michigan Street
25
Continue on BUS US 31
2.5 mi·6 min·South Michigan Street
26
Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi·2 min·South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
27
Enter roundabout onto SR 933
124 ft·7 sec·North Michigan Street
28
Continue on SR 933
454 ft·17 sec·North Michigan Street
29
Turn right onto East Navarre Street
131 ft·4 sec·East Navarre Street
30
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to depart Clarksville in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer stretches, as the estimated fuel cost is around $39. The transition from highway to surface roads can sometimes involve more frequent stops, so factor that into your timing.
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 125.4 miles from Clarksville, IN, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.3 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 55 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, IN
This is one driving day of about 250.9 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Clarksville, 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 North Meridian Street for about 119.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 122.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 31
Turn left onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
100.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Southport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 103
Toward Southport Road
7
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
7
122.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street...
7
122.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|North Keystone Avenue
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.05 one way
$74.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.90
$81.81
premium
$4.72
$46.58
$93.17
diesel
$4.80
$47.37
$94.75
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: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.3
0
$26.34
$12.04
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.04
EV Truck/SUV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, IN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 to 12 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
South Bend, IN
Late night
in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 15 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 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
5h 4m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 49% highway share, meaning you'll spend roughly half of your time on interstates and the other half on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 119.3 miles on North Meridian Street. Expect to encounter a significant number of exits and merges during the highway portions of this trip, transitioning to more varied speed limits and traffic patterns on the surface roads.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.3 mi on North Meridian Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 250.9 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 0.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Clarksville is a city in Clark County in Southern Indiana, directly across the Ohio River from Louisville. It is the oldest town in the Indiana Territory with a population of 21,000. The city is served by an overlay complex of two area codes: 812 and 930.
Top landmarks
•Old Clarksville Site — archaeological site in Clarksville, United States of America
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Casimir Parish, South Bend — church building in South Bend, United States of America
•Studebaker National Museum — museum in South Bend, Indiana, United States
•Tippecanoe Place — historic house in Indiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 250.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.3 miles on North Meridian Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Bend, IN before the return drive.
