Newburgh, IN to South Bend, IN is 312.6 miles and takes about 6h 12m via I 69, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, beginning and ending in Indiana. You'll encounter a mix of interstate cruising and surface roads, making for a varied but manageable drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
156.3 miles from Newburgh, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
177.4 mi
3h 15m
North Meridian Street
119.3 mi
2h 28m
Keystone Parkway
5 mi
7m
I 465
2.9 mi
3m
South Michigan Street
2.5 mi
6m
West State Route 662
2.1 mi
3m
I-465 WB
0.8 mi
<1m
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 177.4 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,704 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Newburgh, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on West Jennings Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·West Jennings Street
2
Turn slight right onto West State Route 662
2.1 mi·3 min·West State Route 662
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
4
Merge onto I 69
166 mi·3 hr 1 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 69; I 465
12 mi·13 min·I 69; I 465
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
7
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
8
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi·3 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward Keystone AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right
172 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout
113 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
13
Continue
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
14
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft·11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
15
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
16
Merge onto US 31
119 mi·2 hr 28 min·North Meridian Street
17
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
128 ft·6 sec·South Michigan Street
18
Continue on BUS US 31
2.5 mi·6 min·South Michigan Street
19
Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi·2 min·South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
20
Enter roundabout onto SR 933
124 ft·7 sec·North Michigan Street
21
Continue on SR 933
454 ft·17 sec·North Michigan Street
22
Turn right onto East Navarre Street
131 ft·4 sec·East Navarre Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 12m duration and 312.6-mile distance, leaving Newburgh in the morning is your best bet for arriving in South Bend with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch is 177.4 miles on I 69, so plan your mid-drive break around the point where you exit the interstate. With a fuel cost estimate of $55, you can budget accordingly. Consider stopping once to break up the drive, especially if you're not accustomed to longer periods behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.3 miles from Newburgh, IN, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.4 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 69 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.3 miles or 2h 53m 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 57m
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 Newburgh, 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 Newburgh, IN
This is one driving day of about 312.6 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Newburgh, 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 I 69 for about 177.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 183.9 and 184.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
183.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
184.3 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
184.3 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|North Keystone Avenue
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
184.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
6
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Keystone Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.16 one way
$92.33 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.96
$101.93
premium
$4.72
$58.04
$116.08
diesel
$4.80
$59.02
$118.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.35
$12.50
EV Truck/SUV
125
1
$43.76
$20.01
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Newburgh, IN
Evening
in Newburgh on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 7 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
South Bend, IN
Night
in South Bend on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 5 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
2 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
6h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 53.9
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 177.4 miles on I 69. Expect to transition from interstate speeds to surface street driving as you approach your destination. The profile is a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying traffic patterns and speed limits, especially in more populated areas.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.4 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 183.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 312.6 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 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.3 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6h 12m. Total distance: 312.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.4 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.3 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
