Origin
South Bend, IN
Late night in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
153.3 mi
247 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Avon, IN
Wikimedia Commons
This 153.3-mile drive from South Bend, IN to Avon, IN is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of $24, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes US 31 and I-465, offering a straightforward path. Given its manageable length and focused highway profile, you won't need to break this up overnight. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently within Indiana.
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
76.6 miles from South Bend, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 31 | 99.1 mi | 2h 4m |
| South Michigan Street | 28.2 mi | 38m |
| I 465 | 16.8 mi | 20m |
| Rockville Road | 7 mi | 12m |
| North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| North Michigan Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 226th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Navarre Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Avon, IN.
Start on East Navarre Street
Turn left onto SR 933; BUS US 31
Enter roundabout onto North Michigan Street
Continue on North Michigan Street
Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Continue on South Michigan Street
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
Continue on BUS US 31
Continue on BUS US 31
Merge onto US 31
Turn slight right
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto East 226th Street
Turn left
Continue on this road
Turn right onto East 226th Street
Turn right onto US 31
Take the exit onto US 31
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 465
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 36
Continue on US 36
Arrive at destination
With a duration of just over three hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Avon with ample daylight. You'll want to plan for one stop along the 153.3-mile route, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 99.1 miles on US 31, so consider fueling up before you embark or as you transition to I-465 to manage the $24 fuel cost effectively. Keep an eye out for potential traffic as you approach the Indianapolis metropolitan area on I-465.
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.
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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avon, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Bend, 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 South Bend, IN
This is one driving day of about 153.3 miles and 3h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from South Bend, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 31 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 145.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 31 toward I 465, US 31 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Rockville Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$23.97 one way
$47.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.31 | $52.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.50 | $59.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.85 | $67.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.10 | $7.36 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.41 | $6.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.46 | $9.81 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Avon on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with 76% of the 153.3 miles on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 31, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 99.1 miles. While much of the journey maintains a steady pace, be aware that the route begins with a segment on South Michigan Street before merging onto more significant highways. This blend means you'll experience both consistent highway travel and some initial, more localized driving.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and South Michigan Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 153.3 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: near the start (SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.8 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 127.8 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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