Origin
South Bend, IN
Late night in South Bend on Friday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Bend, IN to Vincennes, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
268.9 mi
433 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 43m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
5h 59m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Vincennes, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from South Bend, IN to Vincennes, IN covers 268.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 31, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, US 41 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.1 miles on US 31. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
134.5 miles from South Bend, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 31 | 99.1 mi | 2h 4m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 58.3 mi | 1h 2m |
| US 41 | 50.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| South Michigan Street | 28.2 mi | 38m |
| I 465 | 20.2 mi | 24m |
| SR 46 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| US 40 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 99.1 mi, about 2h 4m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,086 veh/hr typical · worst 6,110
Quietest
2 AM
~448 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 91 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Vincennes, 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
13 mi
·
17 min
·
US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 31
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 31
Exit 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 465 West
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 465
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 465
Toward I 465 South
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 9A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
2.6 mi
·
5 min
Exit 9B
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Use the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto I 70
58 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 11A-B
Toward US 40 East, SR 641 South, SR 46
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 11B
Toward US 40 East, SR 46 West
28
Turn straight onto US 40; SR 46
479 ft
·
16 sec
·
US 40; SR 46
29
Continue on US 40; SR 46
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 40; SR 46
Use the left lane.
30
Turn straight onto SR 46; SR 641
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46; SR 641
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
32
Merge onto US 41; US 150
51 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 41; US 150
33
Arrive at destination
US 41 Business
Trip Plan
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 134.5 miles from South Bend, IN, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 59 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vincennes, 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 268.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 99.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.5 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 127.8 and 152.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
127.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 31
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
7
128.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 West
8
149.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis
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 9A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Internat...
9
149.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 9B
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Int...
7
152.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.69 one way
$83.38 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $45.71 | $91.43 |
| premium | $4.93 | $52.17 | $104.34 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $59.27 | $118.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.91 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.65 | $17.21 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Vincennes, IN
Late night in Vincennes on Friday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
13 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
5h 34m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
268.9 mi in 5h 34m, mostly highway — 99.1 mi of that is on US 31.
65% 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: 99.1 mi on US 31.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.8 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 268.9 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 127.8 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
920 ft
419 ft
Total Climb
327 ft
Total Descent
599 ft
Highest Point
920 ft
~115.3 mi in
Elevation Range
502 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Bend, IN and Vincennes, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis International Airport and Indianapolis.
Indianapolis International Airport
149.2 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Indianapolis
149.2 mi in
|
~3h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in South Bend, IN
Full guide →Founded 1865
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.
Top landmarks
- • St. Casimir Parish, South Bend — church building in South Bend, United States of America
- • Studebaker National Museum — museum in South Bend, Indiana, United States
- • Tippecanoe Place — historic house in Indiana, United States
Arriving in Vincennes, IN
Full guide →Founded 1732
Vincennes is a city in Southwestern Indiana. Vincennes is the oldest town in Indiana. It was founded in 1732 as a French fur trading post. The city's history is unique compared to any other Midwestern town, and the historical relevance is plentiful. The nice thing about Vincennes is that things are close together, within blocks at times, and cheap. You can eat, drink and learn on a very small budget.
Top landmarks
- • St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Library — cathedral and library in Indiana, USA
- • George Rogers Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park of the United States in Indiana
- • Grouseland — historic house and museum
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 5h 34m. Total distance: 268.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.1 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 Vincennes, 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 127.8 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vincennes, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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