This 138-mile drive from South Bend, IN to Lawrence, IN is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the journey to take around 3 hours and 1 minute, with a fuel cost estimated at $22. The route primarily utilizes US 31 and other main roads like South Michigan Street and Keystone Parkway, making it a convenient option for those looking to travel within the Midwest region. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 93.5 miles on US 31, this drive offers a predictable and efficient travel experience.
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
69 miles from South Bend, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 31
93.5 mi
1h 56m
South Michigan Street
28.2 mi
38m
Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi
7m
I 465
4 mi
4m
I 69
3.4 mi
3m
Pendleton Pike
0.7 mi
1m
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.6 mi
2m
North Michigan Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 93.5 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Lawrence, 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
3.4 mi·3 min·I 69; I 465
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 42Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton PikeUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
181 ft·6 sec
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
28
Turn left onto Pendleton Pike
0.7 mi·1 min·Pendleton Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Turn left onto McCoy Street
416 ft·19 sec·McCoy Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left
59 ft·6 sec
31
Turn right
77 ft·5 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, starting in the morning is ideal to maximize your day at your destination. With only one stop suggested and a longest stretch of 93.5 miles, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer stretches of US 31, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $22 means you can budget accordingly. Given the relatively short duration, this trip offers flexibility; you won't need to split it overnight.
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 69 miles from South Bend, IN, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.5 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 30 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 30m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, 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 138 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 93.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.8 and 137.1 — 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
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
8
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike
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 42
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike
7
137.1 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.57 one way
$43.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.69
$47.38
premium
$4.89
$26.56
$53.11
diesel
$5.61
$30.47
$60.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.4
0
$14.49
$6.62
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
EV Truck/SUV
55.2
0
$19.32
$8.83
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
South Bend, IN
Late night
in South Bend on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lawrence, IN
Late night
in Lawrence on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph34% chanceLive 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
17 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 1m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 93.5 miles on US 31, which forms the backbone of this route. While largely a highway experience, expect to navigate some main street sections as you pass through towns. The overall character is one of steady progress rather than winding scenic byways, designed for efficient travel between these two Indiana points.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.5 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 23 significant decision points across 138 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 128.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 138 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m 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 93.5 miles on US 31. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Lawrence, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 128.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawrence, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
