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Trip from Saint Joseph, IN to Mishawaka, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

248.6 mi

400 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 51m ★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m

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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Christian saint; husband of Mary and father of Jesus

Saint Joseph, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States

Mishawaka, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 252.9-mile drive from Saint Joseph, Indiana, to Mishawaka, Indiana, will take you approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes. Designed as a single-day adventure, this route primarily utilizes State Road 111, State Road 60, and Perry Crossing Road, with no highway segments. Given the relatively short duration and lack of highway driving, you can expect a more relaxed pace. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, this trip is an affordable option for exploring the Midwest. The drive is characterized by its numerous turns, offering a change of scenery without long stretches of monotonous travel.

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

124.3 miles from Saint Joseph, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Meridian Street 118.3 mi 2h 25m
I 65 86.7 mi 1h 33m
I 69 14 mi 16m
Keystone Parkway 5 mi 7m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway 3.2 mi 3m
I 465 2.9 mi 3m
US 31 2.9 mi 4m
Perry Crossing Road 2.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: North Meridian Street — 118.3 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, IN and Mishawaka, IN.

1

Start on Grant Line Road

233 ft · 4 sec · Grant Line Road
2

Continue on State Road 111

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Road 111
3

Turn right onto SR 60

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Road 60
4

Turn left onto Perry Crossing Road

2.7 mi · 6 min · Perry Crossing Road
5

Turn left onto US 31

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 31
6

Turn left onto Memphis-Blue Lick Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Memphis-Blue Lick Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
8

Merge onto I 65

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 65
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 103 Toward Southport Road Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn slight right

176 ft · 4 sec
11

Turn straight onto East Southport Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Southport Road
12

Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
13

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
14

Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 69; I 74; I 465
15

Continue on I 69; I 465

12 mi · 13 min · I 69; I 465
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 465

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 465
17

Continue on I-465 WB

0.8 mi · 56 sec · I-465 WB
18

Continue on I 465

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 465
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 33 Toward Keystone Avenue Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn right

172 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street Use the slight right lane.
21

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
22

Enter roundabout

113 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
23

Continue

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
24

Keep slight left at fork

436 ft · 11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
25

Merge onto Keystone Parkway

5.0 mi · 7 min · Keystone Parkway
26

Merge onto US 31

118 mi · 2 hr 25 min · North Meridian Street
27

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 20 East: Mishawaka, Elkhart
28

Merge onto US 20

3.2 mi · 3 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
29

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward SR 331 South: Bremen, Mishawaka
30

Turn straight onto Bremen Highway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Bremen Highway
31

Continue on Union Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Union Street
32

Continue on South Church Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · South Church Street
33

Turn right onto SR 933

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Way East
34

Arrive at destination

SR 933

Trip Plan

Since this 4-hour and 14-minute drive is best suited for a single day, consider an early morning departure from Saint Joseph to maximize your daylight. With only one recommended stop and no significant highway stretches, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns dictated by State Road 111, State Road 60, and Perry Crossing Road; this is your main navigational cue. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is reasonable, but it's always wise to ensure your tank is full before departing, especially on local roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major highways.

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 124.3 miles from Saint Joseph, IN, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.3 miles or 2h 28m 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 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mishawaka, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, IN

This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 5h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Saint Joseph, 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 118.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carmel, IN

124 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

Nebraska, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carmel, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.3 miles from Saint Joseph, 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 118.3 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

Grindstone on the Monon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Westfield, Indiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 124.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13177631100

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

1.1 mi

Kona Grill - Carmel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Carmel, Indiana

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee Crossing

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sellersburg, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18129138177

Visit website

Grindstone on the Monon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 124.3

Westfield, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13177631100

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.5

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+13178971042

Visit website

Kona Grill - Carmel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 124.3

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13175661400

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 88.8

New Whiteland, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13175357070

Visit website

Max & Erma's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 71

Edinburgh, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18125266250

Visit website

Applebee's Grill + Bar

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 71

Edinburgh, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18125262376

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Sellersburg, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18122460740

Visit website

Freeland’s Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $100 or ab mile 124.3

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13173169875

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Sellersburg, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18129138177

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+18129812633

Visit website

Starlight Coffee Co. & Roastery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Sellersburg, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18127487000

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+18125576899

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.3

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 159.8

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 159.8

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 195.3

Rochester, Indiana

+18668167584

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 195.3

Rochester, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 195.3

Rochester, Indiana

+18333994638

Visit website

Generations Adventureplex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 248.6

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 95.2 and 117.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
95.2 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward Southport Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 103 Toward Southport Road
7
116.5 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | North Keystone Avenue

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

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

Use the right lane.
7
117.2 mi into trip | ~2h 18m 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

$38.87 one way

$77.73 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.67 $85.35
premium $4.89 $47.84 $95.68
diesel $5.61 $54.89 $109.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.6 0 $26.10 $11.93
Efficient EV 62.2 0 $21.75 $9.94
EV Truck/SUV 99.4 1 $34.80 $15.91

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Saint Joseph, IN

Late night in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mishawaka, IN

Late night in Mishawaka on Sunday

Local time

12:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

9 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

5h 4m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You won't encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches of highway; instead, expect a dynamic driving experience with frequent directional changes. This means you'll be actively navigating through local roads, making it a more engaging journey for those who prefer to feel connected to the landscape rather than simply covering distance. The constant adjustments required will keep you alert and immersed in the local environment as you progress from Saint Joseph to Mishawaka.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on North Meridian Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 95.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 248.6 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 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.9 miles: 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 5h 4m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.3 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 Mishawaka, 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 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mishawaka, IN before the return drive.

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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