Trip from Cedar Lake, IN to Mishawaka, IN

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

88 mi

142 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

1h 55m ★

6 AM

2h 4m

8 AM

2h 22m

10 AM

2h 10m

12 PM

2h 8m

3 PM

2h 11m

5 PM

2h 21m

8 PM

1h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cedar Lake, IN

Chris Flaten

Mishawaka, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Lake, IN to Mishawaka, IN covers 88 miles and takes about 2h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Borman Expressway, SR 2, US 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.8 miles on Borman Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.37 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

44 miles from Cedar Lake, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 4m highway drive covering 88 miles, with most of the trip on Borman Expressway and SR 2. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.8 miles on Borman Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Borman Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 26.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Borman Expressway and SR 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Doffin Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 88 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 0.6 miles (Doffin Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.5 miles (US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | Doffin Street

Turn right onto Doffin Street

Navigation decision point

8.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street

Turn left onto US 231; SR 55 / West Joliet Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

10.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | SR 53 / Broadway

Turn left onto SR 53 / Broadway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

21.7 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

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 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...

22.6 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...

Towns Along This Route

Between Cedar Lake, IN and Mishawaka, IN, road signs point toward Detroit, Bend and Plymouth.

Detroit

21.7 mi in | ~39m

Bend

49.7 mi in | ~1h 10m

Plymouth

74.2 mi in | ~1h 44m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Borman Expressway	26.8 mi	29m
SR 2	12.5 mi	16m
US 20	11.7 mi	16m
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway	9.9 mi	12m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway	9.2 mi	10m
West 109th Avenue	3.4 mi	5m
Cline Avenue	2.5 mi	6m
Bremen Highway	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Borman Expressway — 26.8 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Lake, IN and Mishawaka, IN.

Start on Lauerman Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Lauerman Street

Turn left onto Birch Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Birch Street

Turn left onto West 137th Avenue

0.2 mi · 55 sec · West 137th Avenue

Turn right onto Doffin Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Doffin Street

Continue on West 135th Place

0.2 mi · 45 sec · West 135th Place

Turn right onto Parrish Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Parrish Avenue

Turn right onto West 133rd Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West 133rd Avenue

Continue on West Lakeshore Drive

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Lakeshore Drive

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cline Avenue

154 ft · 4 sec · Cline Avenue

Exit the roundabout onto Cline Avenue

2.5 mi · 6 min · Cline Avenue

Turn right onto West 109th Avenue

3.4 mi · 5 min · West 109th Avenue

At the end of the road, turn right onto South Court Street

141 ft · 8 sec · South Court Street

Turn left onto West Joliet Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Joliet Street

Turn left onto West 113th Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 113th Avenue

Turn left onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Broadway

Turn right onto East 109th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · East 109th Avenue

Continue on East 109th Avenue

131 ft · 4 sec · East 109th Avenue

Take the ramp slight right toward I 65 North: Chicago

0.4 mi · 51 sec · I 65 North: Chicago

Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

9.9 mi · 12 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

0.3 mi · 27 sec · I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

27 mi · 29 min · Borman Expressway

Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

0.4 mi · 55 sec · US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

Merge slight left

12 mi · 16 min

Continue straight

12 mi · 16 min

Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 31 South: Mishawaka, Plymouth

0.4 mi · 1 min · US 20 East, US 31 South: Mishawaka, Plymouth

Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

9.2 mi · 10 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

Take the exit slight right toward SR 331 South: Bremen, Mishawaka

0.3 mi · 54 sec · SR 331 South: Bremen, Mishawaka

Turn straight onto Bremen Highway

1.4 mi · 2 min · Bremen Highway

Continue on Union Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Union Street

Continue on South Church Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · South Church Street

Turn right onto Lincoln Way East

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Way East

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 44 miles from Cedar Lake, IN, or about 1h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.8 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 44 miles or 1h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mishawaka, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Cedar Lake, 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 Cedar Lake, IN

This is one driving day of about 88 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Lake, IN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Borman Expressway for about 26.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 44 mi from Cedar Lake, IN · 1h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

44 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44 miles from Cedar Lake, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mishawaka, IN

The final approach into Mishawaka, 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 Mishawaka, IN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Indiana Dunes National Park

National Park

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 near mile 33.4

Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail

Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.37 one way

$26.73 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$14.73	$29.47
premium	$4.80	$16.61	$33.23
diesel	$5.64	$19.55	$39.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26.4	$9.24	$4.22
Efficient EV	22	$7.70	$3.52
EV Truck/SUV	35.2	$12.32	$5.63

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cedar Lake, IN

Morning in Cedar Lake on Monday

Local time

7:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mishawaka, IN

Morning in Mishawaka on Monday

Local time

8:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

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

2h 4m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cedar Lake, IN to Mishawaka, IN covers 88 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Borman Expressway, SR 2, US 20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 44 miles from Cedar Lake, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Between Cedar Lake, IN and Mishawaka, IN, road signs point toward Detroit, Bend and Plymouth.

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Trip from Cedar Lake, IN to Mishawaka, IN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Mishawaka, IN

National Parks Near This Route

Indiana Dunes National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cedar Lake, IN

Mishawaka, IN

1 hour later

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 4m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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