Origin
Bicknell, IN
Evening in Bicknell on Thursday
Local time
8:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bicknell, IN to South Bend, IN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
255.8 mi
412 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bicknell, IN
Wikimedia Commons
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bicknell, IN to South Bend, IN covers 255.8 miles and takes about 5h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Meridian Street, I 69, SR 358 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.3 miles on North Meridian Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.99 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
127.9 miles from Bicknell, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 255.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Bicknell, IN to South Bend, IN covers 255.8 miles and takes about 5h 19m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Meridian Street is the longest continuous segment at about 119.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 255.8 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 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.5 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
7
127.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street...
7
127.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
North Keystone Avenue
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
127.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
6
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Keystone Parkway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Meridian Street | 119.3 mi | 2h 28m |
| I 69 | 107.1 mi | 1h 59m |
| SR 358 | 8.2 mi | 14m |
| Keystone Parkway | 5 mi | 7m |
| SR 57 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| I 465 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| South Michigan Street | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| 4th St | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
North Meridian Street
— 119.3 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bicknell, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on East 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Freelandville Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Freelandville Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 67
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 11th Street
4
Continue on SR 67
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
4th St
5
Turn right onto SR 358
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 358
6
Turn left onto SR 57; SR 358
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 57; SR 358
7
Turn right onto SR 358
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 358
8
Continue on SR 58
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 58
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
10
Merge onto I 69
95 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 69
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 69; I 465
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 69; I 465
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 465
13
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
I-465 WB
14
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 465
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right
172 ft
·
6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Enter roundabout
113 ft
·
6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
19
Continue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
20
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
21
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Keystone Parkway
22
Merge onto US 31
119 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
North Meridian Street
23
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
128 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Michigan Street
24
Continue on BUS US 31
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
South Michigan Street
25
Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 933
124 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Michigan Street
27
Continue on SR 933
454 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Michigan Street
28
Turn right onto East Navarre Street
131 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Navarre Street
29
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
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 127.9 miles from Bicknell, IN, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.3 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 56 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 33m 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 16m
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 Bicknell, 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 Bicknell, IN
This is one driving day of about 255.8 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Bicknell, 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 119.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.9 mi from Bicknell, IN · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.9 miles from Bicknell, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Meridian Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.3 miles.
Arriving in South Bend, IN
The final approach into South Bend, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around South Bend, IN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.99 one way
$79.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.91 | $87.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.23 | $98.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.48 | $112.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.86 | $12.28 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.38 | $10.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.81 | $16.37 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
South Bend, IN
Evening in South Bend on Thursday
Local time
8:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Lawrence, IN
128 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
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
5h 19m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bicknell, IN to South Bend, IN covers 255.8 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Meridian Street, I 69, SR 358. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.9 miles from Bicknell, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 255.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.5 miles (North Keystone Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bicknell, IN to South Bend, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From South Bend, IN
More from Bicknell, IN
More trips to South Bend, IN
Explore more options from Bicknell, IN or browse trips ending in South Bend, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
Explore maps for Bicknell, IN or South Bend, IN on MapSof.net.