Origin
Crawfordsville, IN
Evening in Crawfordsville on Friday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crawfordsville, IN to Elkhart, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
152.6 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crawfordsville, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Elkhart, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crawfordsville, IN to Elkhart, IN is 152.6 miles and takes about 3h 29m via US 31 and SR 25, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within the Midwest region, specifically Indiana. You'll primarily be on US 31, a major north-south artery, with some segments on SR 25 and Michigan Avenue as you near your destination. Given its manageable length and a highway share of 61%, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace and minimal stress.
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
76.3 miles from Crawfordsville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 152.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route offers a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the journey utilizing faster roads. You can expect a significant stretch of 42 miles on US 31 without needing to navigate smaller local roads, which makes for efficient travel. While not a high-speed interstate experience, the primary roads chosen will generally keep you moving at a good pace. The character of the drive is consistent for much of the trip, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you travel north through Indiana.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 31 is the longest continuous segment at about 42 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and SR 25. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Englewood Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 152.6 miles you will encounter 21 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 (North Englewood Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 136 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (US 231 / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Englewood Drive
Turn left onto North Englewood Drive
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 136 / East Market Street
Turn left onto US 136 / East Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 231 / North Washington Street
Turn right onto US 231 / North Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
25.9 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
SR 25 / North 6th Street
Turn left onto SR 25 / North 6th Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Crawfordsville, IN to Elkhart, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Bend along the way.
Bend
92 mi in
|
~2h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 31 | 42 mi | 50m |
| SR 25 | 31.5 mi | 39m |
| Michigan Avenue | 21.6 mi | 31m |
| Saint Joseph Valley Parkway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| North Washington Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Base Line Road | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Base Line Rd | 4 mi | 5m |
| South Nappanee Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 42 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crawfordsville, IN and Elkhart, IN.
1
Start on Eastwood Drive
397 ft
·
22 sec
·
Eastwood Drive
2
Turn left onto North Englewood Drive
416 ft
·
25 sec
·
North Englewood Drive
3
Turn right onto US 136
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Turn right onto US 136
415 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Oak Street
5
Turn left onto US 136
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Market Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn right onto US 231
10 mi
·
15 min
·
North Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 231
449 ft
·
7 sec
·
Holden Street
8
Turn slight left onto US 231
340 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Main Street
9
Continue on US 231
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Base Line Road
10
Continue on US 231
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Base Line Rd
11
Continue on US 231
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Base Line Road
12
Turn right onto US 52
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 52
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 52
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Old US Highway 231
14
Turn left onto Sagamore Parkway South
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Sagamore Parkway South
15
Continue on Sagamore Parkway North
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Sagamore Parkway North
16
Turn sharp right onto Schuyler Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Schuyler Avenue
17
Continue on SR 25
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Hoosier Heartland Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto SR 25
9 ft
·
0 sec
·
SR 25
19
Continue on SR 25
31 mi
·
39 min
·
SR 25
20
Turn right onto Old State Road 25
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Old State Road 25
21
Continue on South Cicott Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Cicott Street
22
Turn right onto BUS US 24
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Market Street
23
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
South 2nd Street
24
Turn right onto Eel River Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Eel River Avenue
25
Continue on High Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
High Street
26
Turn left onto SR 25
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 6th Street
27
Turn right onto SR 25
22 mi
·
31 min
·
Michigan Avenue
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward South Bend
29
Merge onto US 31
42 mi
·
50 min
·
US 31
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward US 20 East: Mishawaka, Elkhart
31
Merge onto US 20
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 19 North: Elkhart
33
Turn straight onto SR 19
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Nappanee Street
34
Turn right
523 ft
·
10 sec
35
Continue on West Franklin Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Franklin Street
36
Turn right onto Pletcher Court
293 ft
·
16 sec
·
Pletcher Court
37
Arrive at destination
Pletcher Court
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to maximize your daylight and potentially avoid any afternoon traffic. Fuel costs are estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Crawfordsville, as you'll have one primary road, US 31, for the longest stretch. While there's only one noted stop on this route, plan for short breaks as needed, especially during the 42-mile segment on US 31 to stay alert and comfortable.
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 76.3 miles from Crawfordsville, IN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42 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 34 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 50m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elkhart, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Crawfordsville, 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 Crawfordsville, IN
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Crawfordsville, 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 42 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Crawfordsville, IN · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Crawfordsville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elkhart, IN
The final approach into Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.86 one way
$47.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.19 | $52.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.37 | $58.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.02 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.77 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Elkhart, IN
Evening in Elkhart on Friday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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 29m 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 Crawfordsville, IN to Elkhart, IN covers 152.6 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 31, SR 25, Michigan Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Crawfordsville, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.86 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Englewood Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 136 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (US 231 / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Crawfordsville, IN to Elkhart, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Bend along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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