Indiana Pancake House
Later in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12607247181
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
169.3 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Utah, IN
Airam Dato-on
Churubusco, IN
Sergio Benavides
If you are planning to travel from Utah, IN to Churubusco, IN, expect a straightforward journey spanning 169.3 miles. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes for this trip, making it a manageable drive to complete in a single day. With a fuel cost estimate of $26, it is a relatively economical route to navigate. The path stays entirely within the Midwest, keeping you in familiar Indiana territory throughout the duration of your travel. Because of the manageable timeframe, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay; a one-day itinerary is perfectly sufficient. This route is best suited for drivers looking for a direct, highway-focused connection between these two locations.
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
84.7 miles from Utah, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 27 | 104.4 mi | 2h 4m |
| SR 1 | 16.5 mi | 28m |
| US 52 | 14.5 mi | 24m |
| US 33 | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| Indiana Highway 101 | 7.5 mi | 13m |
| SR 48 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Pribble Road | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| West Coliseum Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Utah, IN and Churubusco, IN.
Start on George Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 50
Continue on US 50
Turn left onto SR 48
Turn right onto Pribble Road
Continue on Pella Crossing
At end of road, turn left onto SR 1
At end of road, turn left onto US 52; SR 1
Continue on SR 101
Continue on SR 101
Continue on US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Continue on US 27
Turn straight onto US 27
Turn left onto SR 930
Take the exit onto SR 930
Merge onto SR 930
Continue on US 33
Take the exit onto US 33
Turn left onto SR 205
Arrive at destination
Since this 169.3-mile trip takes nearly four hours, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday fatigue and ensure you reach Churubusco with plenty of daylight left. You are limited to just one recommended stop, so choose your break point wisely to maximize your efficiency. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the 104.4-mile stretch on US 27, as this will be your longest period without significant exits or town access. Because the drive is highly focused on highway miles, stay alert during the long stretches to maintain your focus. Being able to complete the trip in one day gives you the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions or your own personal schedule.
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 37 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Churubusco, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Utah, 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 Utah, IN
This is one driving day of about 169.3 miles and 3h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.7 miles from Utah, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 27 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · final third
Decatur, Indiana
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12607247181
El Camino Real
Decatur, Indiana
Spare Time Lanes
Berne, Indiana
Best coffee break · final third
Decatur, Indiana
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm
+12607284000
Black Forest Cat Café
Fort Wayne, Indiana
DeeZertz
Berne, Indiana
Later in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12607247181
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12607284008
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Berne, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12605892927
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12607248181
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12607289464
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Berne, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12605898891
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Berne, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12605892146
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+12607248130
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm
+12607284000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm
+12604982988
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Berne, Indiana
Hours: 1:30–4:30 pm
+12608492500
Later in the drive, short detour
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+12603073365
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12603018116
Near the end, short detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+12604832233
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+12603730505
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18887627837
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Fort Wayne, Indiana
+18333994638
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Decatur, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12607243500
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 158.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto US 50 / Green Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto SR 48
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto SR 1
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto US 52; SR 1
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 33
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$26.47 one way
$52.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.06 | $58.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.38 | $74.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.78 | $8.13 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.81 | $6.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.70 | $10.84 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Utah on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Churubusco on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
68°F
Richmond, IN
85 mi in
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.
Prepare for a drive dominated by highway travel, as 93% of the journey consists of high-speed roads. Your path relies on a combination of US 27, SR 1, and US 52 to keep you moving efficiently. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 27, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 104.4 miles. Because the route is so heavily highway-focused, the experience is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can expect a steady, focused pace that allows you to cover the total mileage without the frequent interruptions often found on local backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and SR 1. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 / Green Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 169.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 50 / Green Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (SR 48): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (SR 1): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
830 ft
Total Descent
411 ft
Highest Point
1,191 ft
~72.6 mi in
Elevation Range
715 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 169.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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