Origin
Elkhart, IN
Late night in Elkhart on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elkhart, IN to Lake Station, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
77.2 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elkhart, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Station, IN
Arto Suraj
Trip Overview
This 77.2-mile drive from Elkhart, Indiana, to Lake Station, Indiana, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 29 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes the Indiana Toll Road, offering a direct path between these two Indiana cities. Given its short duration and minimal stops, this drive is perfectly suited for a one-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll find this journey to be a practical and efficient way to travel between your starting and ending points.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 70.7 mi | 1h 16m |
| Cassopolis Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Ripley Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 80 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Bristol Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Franklin Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Indiana Toll Road
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elkhart, IN and Lake Station, IN.
1
Start on Pletcher Court
293 ft
·
18 sec
·
Pletcher Court
2
Turn right onto West Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South 2nd Street
4
Turn right onto West Jackson Boulevard
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Jackson Boulevard
5
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto SR 19
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Bristol Street
7
Turn left onto SR 19
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cassopolis Street
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
11
Merge onto I 80; I 90
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
Exit 21
Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward SR 51 North, SR 51 South, US 6 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto SR 51
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Ripley Street
16
Turn left onto Central Avenue
287 ft
·
6 sec
·
Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Elkhart, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Indiana Toll Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 77.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
8
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
75.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
76 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 51 North, SR 51 South, 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 SR 51 North, SR 51 South, US 6 East
6
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.07 one way
$24.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.25 | $26.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.86 | $29.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.04 | $34.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.95
Indiana Toll Road
(70.7 mi)
$4.95
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$5
Total
$17
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.11 | $3.71 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.81 | $4.94 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Lake Station, IN
Night in Lake Station on Saturday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Three Oaks, MI
39 mi in
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
1 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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's a bit turn-heavy on local roads before transitioning to the main highway. With 100% of the route on highways, the majority of your time will be spent on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.7 miles on the Indiana Toll Road, providing a solid period of consistent travel. While the primary roads are functional, the overall profile suggests a drive that requires attention to navigation, especially during the initial and final segments outside the main tollway. This isn't a purely scenic byway, but rather a functional route designed for efficient transit.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.7 mi on Indiana Toll Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 4.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 77.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.7 miles on Indiana Toll Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.95 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 Lake Station, 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 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lake Station, 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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