Connecting Speedway to South Bend, this 144.1-mile journey through the Indiana Midwest takes approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. You should budget roughly $22 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a mix of North Meridian Street, I-465, and South Michigan Street. It is a straightforward trip for those looking to travel between these two Indiana hubs, offering a practical way to reach your destination without excessive travel fatigue.
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
72 miles from Speedway, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Meridian Street
123.2 mi
2h 33m
I 465
13.8 mi
16m
South Michigan Street
2.5 mi
6m
US Highway 31 North
1.3 mi
1m
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi
2m
US 31
0.2 mi
<1m
Crawfordsville Road
0.2 mi
<1m
West 25th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Meridian Street
— 123.2 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Speedway, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on this road
75 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left
262 ft·25 sec
3
Turn sharp right onto West 25th Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·West 25th Street
4
Turn left onto North High School Road
315 ft·14 sec·North High School Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right
275 ft·11 sec
6
Turn straight onto Crawfordsville Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Crawfordsville Road
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 74 West, I 465 North
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 North
9
Merge onto I 465
14 mi·16 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Exit 31Toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, Westfield, KokomoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 31
Toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
13
Merge onto US 31
2.4 mi·3 min·North Meridian Street
14
Continue on US 31
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 31 North
15
Continue on US 31
121 mi·2 hr 30 min·North Meridian Street
16
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
128 ft·6 sec·South Michigan Street
17
Continue on BUS US 31
2.5 mi·6 min·South Michigan Street
18
Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi·2 min·South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
19
Enter roundabout onto SR 933
124 ft·7 sec·North Michigan Street
20
Continue on SR 933
454 ft·17 sec·North Michigan Street
21
Turn right onto East Navarre Street
131 ft·4 sec·East Navarre Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though aiming for off-peak hours can help you avoid local traffic congestion. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of freedom to stretch your legs or grab a snack along the way. Given that the route relies heavily on local roads rather than interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on track during the long 123.2-mile segment on North Meridian Street. Efficient pacing is simple here, as the short duration means you can easily complete the drive in one go. Remember to factor the $22 fuel cost into your budget before you head out.
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 72 miles from Speedway, IN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.2 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Bend, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Speedway, 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 Speedway, IN
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Speedway, 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 123.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 16 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West 25th Street
Turn sharp right onto West 25th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West, I 465 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West, I 465 North
8
14.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, Westfield, Kokomo
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 31
Toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, West...
6
15.1 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
6
16 mi into trip|~21m in|US 31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31 toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North: Westfield, Kokomo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.53 one way
$45.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.74
$49.47
premium
$4.89
$27.73
$55.46
diesel
$5.61
$31.82
$63.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Speedway, IN
Late night
in Speedway on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Bend, IN
Late night
in South Bend on Sunday
Local time
3:45 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
3 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
3h 6m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 11% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on North Meridian Street, which accounts for a significant 123.2-mile stretch of the journey. Because of this, the experience behind the wheel feels more like a series of local connectors than a high-speed transit. Be prepared for frequent adjustments and a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard freeway trek. While the total duration is just over three hours, the nature of these roads requires your full attention as you transition between urban and regional settings.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.2 mi on North Meridian Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 25th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 144.1 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 0.1 miles (West 25th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 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
901 ft691 ft
Total Climb
292 ft
Total Descent
348 ft
Highest Point
901 ft
~30.9 mi in
Elevation Range
210 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Speedway, IN and South Bend, IN, road signs point toward Westfield and Kokomo.
Westfield
14.9 mi in|~19m
Kokomo
14.9 mi in|~19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.2 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 South Bend, 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 0.1 miles (West 25th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at South Bend, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
