Origin
Kouts, IN
Night in Kouts on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kouts, 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 23m
Distance
67.7 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kouts, IN
Wikimedia Commons
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Kouts to South Bend, you are looking at a straightforward 64.2-mile journey through the Indiana Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will navigate primarily via South State Road 49 and I-80 East to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an economical route that requires minimal logistical planning. Since there are no mandatory stops required for this distance, you have total flexibility in your departure time. This drive is ideal for those who prefer a quick, efficient connection between these two Midwestern locations without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 45.5 mi | 48m |
| South State Road 49 | 17.8 mi | 24m |
| North Michigan Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Navarre Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Indiana Toll Road
— 45.5 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kouts, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on SR 49
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
2
Continue on SR 49
18 mi
·
24 min
·
South State Road 49
3
Turn left
394 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
4
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
5
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 80; I 90
45 mi
·
48 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
9
Turn right onto SR 933
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Michigan Street
10
Enter roundabout onto SR 933; BUS US 31
156 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Michigan Street
11
Continue on SR 933; BUS US 31
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Michigan Street
12
Turn left onto East Navarre Street
131 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Navarre Street
13
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Kouts, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 18.4 and 65.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Turn left toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
8
18.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio
5
19.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dam...
4
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
SR 933 / North Michigan Street
Turn right onto SR 933 / North Michigan Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.58 one way
$21.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.62 | $23.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.03 | $26.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.95 | $29.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.18
Indiana Toll Road
(45.5 mi)
$3.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$3
Total
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.92 | $2.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.48 | $4.33 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
South Bend, IN
Late night in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 23m 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 turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from Kouts, as this route relies on regional roads rather than a high-speed interstate grind. You will find that the highway share is 0%, meaning you will experience more interaction with local traffic patterns than long-distance cruising. The road demands your attention due to its technical nature, keeping you engaged as you transition between local corridors. Because this is a shorter trip, you won't face the monotony of hours on a featureless highway. Instead, focus on the consistent pace required to cover the 64.2 miles comfortably within the 1-hour and 10-minute timeframe.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.5 mi on Indiana Toll Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 18.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 23m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 67.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.5 miles on Indiana Toll Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.18 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.
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 18.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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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