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Trip from Rushville, IN to South Bend, IN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

175.4 mi

282 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 41m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m

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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Downtown Rushville, IN, IN

Rushville, IN

Kelly

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

South Bend, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 175.4-mile journey from Rushville, Indiana, to South Bend, Indiana, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily along US Highway 52 and other local roads, with about 21% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $27, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a convenient option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule as you travel within the Midwest region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

87.7 miles from Rushville, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Meridian Street 119.3 mi 2h 28m
United States Highway 52 17.9 mi 26m
East Main Street 14.4 mi 21m
I 69 9.8 mi 11m
Keystone Parkway 5 mi 7m
I 465 2.9 mi 3m
South Michigan Street 2.5 mi 6m
I-465 WB 0.8 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Meridian Street — 119.3 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Morgan Street

376 ft · 18 sec · North Morgan Street
2

Turn right onto US 52; SR 44

0.2 mi · 14 sec · West 2nd Street
3

Turn slight right onto US 52

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
4

Continue on US 52

18 mi · 26 min · United States Highway 52
5

Enter roundabout onto US 52

156 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
6

Continue on US 52

14 mi · 21 min · East Main Street
7

Turn left onto US 52

0.4 mi · 51 sec · US 52
Toward I 465 North, US 52 West Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 69; I 465

9.8 mi · 11 min · I 69; I 465
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 465

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 465
10

Continue on I-465 WB

0.8 mi · 56 sec · I-465 WB
11

Continue on I 465

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 465
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 33 Toward Keystone Avenue Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn right

172 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
15

Enter roundabout

113 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
16

Continue

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
17

Keep slight left at fork

436 ft · 11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
18

Merge onto Keystone Parkway

5.0 mi · 7 min · Keystone Parkway
19

Merge onto US 31

119 mi · 2 hr 28 min · North Meridian Street
20

Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31

128 ft · 6 sec · South Michigan Street
21

Continue on BUS US 31

2.5 mi · 6 min · South Michigan Street
22

Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

0.7 mi · 2 min · South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
23

Enter roundabout onto SR 933

124 ft · 7 sec · North Michigan Street
24

Continue on SR 933

454 ft · 17 sec · North Michigan Street
25

Turn right onto East Navarre Street

131 ft · 4 sec · East Navarre Street
26

Arrive at destination

East Navarre Street

Trip Plan

With a total travel time of under four hours and a fuel cost of approximately $27, this 175.4-mile route from Rushville to South Bend is easily manageable in one day. You can depart in the morning and arrive by midday, leaving plenty of time for your destination. Plan your one stop strategically to break up the drive, especially considering the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. Keep an eye on your navigation, as frequent turns on local roads like US Highway 52 will be key to staying on track.

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 87.7 miles from Rushville, IN, or about 1h 59m 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 39 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.7 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 8m

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 Rushville, 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 Rushville, IN

This is one driving day of about 175.4 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Rushville, 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.

Downtown Indian Heights, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indian Heights, IN

88 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

Lawrence, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kokomo, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.7 miles from Rushville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Meridian Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.3 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Cafe Navarre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

South Bend, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15749688101

Visit website

Dutch Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Peru, Indiana

0.6 mi

Uptown Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Carmel, Indiana

0.8 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

The General Deli & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

South Bend, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15742864193

Visit website

F-Bomb Energy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kokomo, Indiana

1.2 mi

Doubting Thomas Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kokomo, Indiana

1.1 mi

Cafe Navarre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15749688101

Visit website

Dutch Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Peru, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17656890028

Visit website

Uptown Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13175644149

Visit website

DE ORO Mexican Grill

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13175800333

Visit website

Thai Prime Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13179369445

Visit website

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+13178188272

Visit website

China Express

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+13178480189

Flight Burger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13176692256

Visit website

The General Deli & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15742864193

Visit website

F-Bomb Energy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+17652527750

Visit website

Doubting Thomas Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+17657803094

Visit website

Ivy Terra Plant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Plymouth, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

Radish Market & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17654197958

Visit website

Angjelina Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Plymouth, Indiana

Cat Cafe - Kokomo Humane Society

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: 12–5 pm

+17654526224

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.2 mi from route

Bunker Hill, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Rochester, Indiana

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Rochester, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Rochester, Indiana

+18333994638

Visit website

Unity Gardens Inc.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15742222266

Visit website

Generations Adventureplex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Mishawaka, Indiana

Hours: 3–9 pm

+15748551095

Visit website

Ruthless Bar & Patio

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Rochester, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15742237884

Visit website

The Breakroom Pub and Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Argos, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+15748926845

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.8 and 47.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
32.8 mi into trip | ~49m in | US 52

Turn left onto US 52 toward I 465 North, US 52 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 465 North, US 52 West
7
46.7 mi into trip | ~1h 5m 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
47.1 mi into trip | ~1h 6m 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
47.2 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | North Keystone Avenue

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
47.4 mi into trip | ~1h 7m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.42 one way

$54.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.11 $60.22
premium $4.89 $33.75 $67.51
diesel $5.61 $38.73 $77.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.6 0 $18.42 $8.42
Efficient EV 43.9 0 $15.35 $7.02
EV Truck/SUV 70.2 0 $24.56 $11.23

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Rushville, IN

Morning in Rushville on Tuesday

Local time

6:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Bend, IN

Morning in South Bend on Tuesday

Local time

6:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 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

3h 53m 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' for this 175.4-mile trip, meaning you'll be navigating a good number of intersections and changes in direction. While 21% of the route is on highways, the majority will be on local roads, including significant portions on North Meridian Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.3 miles, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. This driving profile suggests a more engaging, less monotonous experience compared to a pure interstate cruise.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?

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 32.8 miles in near US 52.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 175.4 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 32.8 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in South Bend, IN

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.8 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at South Bend, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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