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Trip from Flora, IN to South Bend, 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 36m

Distance

72.2 mi

116 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

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 Carroll County, Indiana, United States

Flora, IN

Wikimedia Commons

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

South Bend, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 72.2-mile drive from Flora, Indiana, to South Bend, Indiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 36 minutes. With 95% of the journey on highways, it’s a very direct route primarily utilizing US 31. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is around $11, making it an economical option. You'll spend most of your time on US 31, experiencing a consistent highway-focused journey. Given its relatively short length and efficient profile, this route is ideal for a quick relocation or a focused journey without needing an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

36.1 miles from Flora, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 31 67.2 mi 1h 23m
South Michigan Street 2.5 mi 6m
Business US-31 1.4 mi 2m
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 0.7 mi 2m
South Hillcrest Drive 0.1 mi <1m
North Michigan Street 0.1 mi <1m
West James Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Rose Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 31 — 67.2 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Rose Street

387 ft · 19 sec · Rose Street
2

Turn right onto West James Drive

513 ft · 27 sec · West James Drive
3

At end of road, turn right onto South Hillcrest Drive

0.1 mi · 34 sec · South Hillcrest Drive
4

At end of road, turn left onto BUS US 31

1.4 mi · 2 min · Business US-31
5

Continue on US 31

67 mi · 1 hr 23 min · US 31
6

Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31

128 ft · 6 sec · South Michigan Street
7

Continue on BUS US 31

2.5 mi · 6 min · South Michigan Street
8

Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

0.7 mi · 2 min · South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
9

Enter roundabout onto SR 933

124 ft · 7 sec · North Michigan Street
10

Continue on SR 933

454 ft · 17 sec · North Michigan Street
11

Turn right onto East Navarre Street

131 ft · 4 sec · East Navarre Street
12

Arrive at destination

East Navarre Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 36-minute drive covering 72.2 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and to allow for a leisurely start. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch on US 31 is over 67 miles, so plan for a single fuel stop if your tank is low before you depart Flora. Given the short duration, no overnight stays are necessary, allowing you to focus on reaching South Bend efficiently.

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 36.1 miles from Flora, IN, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 16 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.1 miles or 46m 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 18m

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 Flora, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Flora, IN

This is one driving day of about 72.2 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Flora, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 31 for about 67.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Marshall County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, IN

36 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.

Popular next leg

Plymouth, IN to South Bend, IN

25.8 mi · 40m

Pacing Suggestions

Peru, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Argos, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Flora, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 31 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.2 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Skillet Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Bend, Indiana

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.2

Hours: 3–7 pm

+15742346069

Visit website

The Skillet Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.2

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 3–7 pm

+15742346069

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 25.8

Rochester, Indiana

+18668167584

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 25.8

Rochester, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 25.8

Rochester, Indiana

+18333994638

Visit website

Unity Gardens Inc.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.2

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15742222266

Visit website

Generations Adventureplex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.2

Mishawaka, Indiana

Hours: 3–9 pm

+15748551095

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 72.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West James Drive

Turn right onto West James Drive

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Hillcrest Drive

At end of road, turn right onto South Hillcrest Drive

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | BUS US 31 / Business US-31

At end of road, turn left onto BUS US 31 / Business US-31

Navigation decision point

4
68.8 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | BUS US 31 / South Michigan Street

Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31 / South Michigan Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
72.2 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | East Navarre Street

Turn right onto East Navarre Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.29 one way

$22.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.39 $24.79
premium $4.89 $13.89 $27.79
diesel $5.61 $15.94 $31.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.7 0 $7.58 $3.47
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.32 $2.89
EV Truck/SUV 28.9 0 $10.11 $4.62

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Flora, IN

Morning in Flora on Sunday

Local time

7:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Bend, IN

Morning in South Bend on Sunday

Local time

7:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Plymouth, IN

36 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

21 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

1h 36m 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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 72.2-mile trip, with 95% of the route utilizing major roads like US 31. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 67.2 miles on US 31, indicating a consistent pace for much of your travel. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, offering a smooth transition between your starting point in Flora and your destination in South Bend without many deviations. You’ll primarily be on well-maintained highways, ensuring a steady and predictable driving experience.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on US 31.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and South Michigan Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West James Drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Flora, IN to South Bend, IN is easy. At 1h 36m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West James Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Hillcrest Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (BUS US 31 / Business US-31): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 72.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.2 miles on US 31. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.1 miles (West James Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Hillcrest Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (BUS US 31 / Business US-31): Navigation decision point.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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