South Bend, IN to Hendricks, IN is 159 miles and takes about 3h 29m via US 31 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region into another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip without much fuss. You can expect a fairly efficient travel time, given the distance and the main roads involved. Plan for a relatively easy transit between these two Indiana points.
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
79.5 miles from South Bend, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 31
95.2 mi
1h 59m
South Michigan Street
28.2 mi
38m
I 69
17.6 mi
20m
Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi
7m
I 465
4 mi
4m
South Meridian Street
3 mi
4m
County Road 300 West
2 mi
3m
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Hendricks, IN.
1
Start on East Navarre Street
131 ft·12 sec·East Navarre Street
2
Turn left onto SR 933; BUS US 31
444 ft·12 sec·North Michigan Street
3
Enter roundabout onto North Michigan Street
125 ft·7 sec·North Michigan Street
4
Continue on North Michigan Street
196 ft·6 sec·North Michigan Street
5
Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.6 mi·2 min·North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
6
Continue on South Michigan Street
2.5 mi·6 min·South Michigan Street
7
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
125 ft·7 sec·South Michigan Street
8
Continue on BUS US 31
0.6 mi·1 min·South Michigan Street
9
Continue on BUS US 31
25 mi·29 min·South Michigan Street
10
Merge onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·US 31
11
Turn slight right
512 ft·6 sec
12
Continue on US 31
85 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 31
13
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
14
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
15
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
16
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
17
Turn right onto US 31
8.0 mi·10 min·US 31
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 129BToward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
Toward Keystone ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout
137 ft·7 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
21
Continue
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
22
Keep slight left at fork
430 ft·10 sec
Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·2 min
Toward I 465 EastUse the slight left / right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 465
4.0 mi·4 min·I 465
25
Merge onto I 69; I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 69; I 74; I 465
6.3 mi·7 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto US 31
1.7 mi·2 min·US 31
Exit 2BToward US 31 South: East StreetUse the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto East Edgewood Avenue
0.5 mi·52 sec·East Edgewood Avenue
29
Turn left onto SR 135
3.0 mi·4 min·South Meridian Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on SR 135
2.0 mi·3 min·County Road 300 West
31
Turn left onto West Smith Valley Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Smith Valley Road
32
Turn left onto Schooley Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Schooley Drive
33
Arrive at destination
Schooley Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 29m estimated duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, consider departing South Bend in the morning. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off, especially before the longest stretch on US 31. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly as you transition between US 31 and I 69.
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 79.5 miles from South Bend, IN, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 35 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.5 miles or 1h 43m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendricks, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 159 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from South Bend, 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 US 31 for about 95.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.8 and 151 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129B
Toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay T...
7
123 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|Keystone Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Keystone Parkway
6
128.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
7
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / right lanes.
Toward I 465 East
7
151 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|US 31
Take the exit onto US 31 toward US 31 South: East Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 2B
Toward US 31 South: East Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.86 one way
$49.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.29
$54.59
premium
$4.89
$30.60
$61.20
diesel
$5.61
$35.11
$70.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.91
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.26
$10.18
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
South Bend, IN
Late night
in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendricks, IN
Late night
in Hendricks on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
24 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
3h 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey utilizing major roadways like US 31 and I 69. You'll experience longer stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 95.2 miles on US 31, which allows for good momentum. While much of the drive will be on these faster roads, expect some transitions, particularly at the beginning on South Michigan Street, as you merge onto the primary highways. It’s a route designed for making good time rather than winding scenic byways.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on US 31.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 122.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 159 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 122.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 159 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on US 31. 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 Hendricks, 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 122.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendricks, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
