Origin
Rising Sun, IN
Morning in Rising Sun on Friday
Local time
11:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rising Sun, IN to South Bend, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
236.5 mi
381 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rising Sun, IN
Selçuk Çalışır
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Rising Sun, IN to South Bend, IN covers 236.5 miles and takes about 5h 7m 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 74, I 69 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 125.6 miles on North Meridian Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.97 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
118.3 miles from Rising Sun, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 236.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Rising Sun, IN to South Bend, IN covers 236.5 miles and takes about 5h 7m, 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 35 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 125.6 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 8.3 miles in near SR 56 / Judiciary Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 236.5 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 8.3 miles (SR 56 / Judiciary Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
8.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
SR 56 / Judiciary Street
Turn right onto SR 56 / Judiciary Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
92.7 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward I 465 North: Shadeland Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 North: Shadeland Avenue
7
93.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
US 421
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421 toward I 465 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 North
7
107.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
108.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Meridian Street | 125.6 mi | 2h 38m |
| I 74 | 61.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 69 | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| SR 48 | 10.1 mi | 17m |
| North High Street | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Sunnyside Avenue | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Keystone Parkway | 5 mi | 7m |
| I 465 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
North Meridian Street
— 125.6 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rising Sun, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on North Walnut Street
135 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto SR 56
474 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto SR 56
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
North High Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on SR 56
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur Street
5
Continue on SR 56
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Water Street
6
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Judiciary Street
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on SR 56
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Importing Street
8
Turn right onto US 50
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Boulevard
9
Turn left onto SR 148
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Sunnyside Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto SR 48
10 mi
·
17 min
·
SR 48
11
Turn right onto SR 101
6.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Meridian Street
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 74 West: Indianapolis
13
Merge onto I 74
62 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto I 74; US 421
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 74; US 421
Toward I 465, I 74 West: Shadeland Avenue
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421
Toward I 465 North: Shadeland Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 421
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 421
Toward I 465 North
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 69; I 465
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 69; I 465
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 465
19
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
I-465 WB
20
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 465
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right
172 ft
·
6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Enter roundabout
113 ft
·
6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
25
Continue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
26
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
27
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Keystone Parkway
28
Merge onto US 31
119 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
North Meridian Street
29
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
128 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Michigan Street
30
Continue on BUS US 31
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
South Michigan Street
31
Continue on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
32
Enter roundabout onto SR 933
124 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Michigan Street
33
Continue on SR 933
454 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Michigan Street
34
Turn right onto East Navarre Street
131 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Navarre Street
35
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 118.3 miles from Rising Sun, IN, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.6 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 52 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 34m 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 8m
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 Rising Sun, 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 Rising Sun, IN
This is one driving day of about 236.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Rising Sun, 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 125.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.3 mi from Rising Sun, IN · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.3 miles from Rising Sun, 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 125.6 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
$36.97 one way
$73.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.60 | $81.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.51 | $91.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.22 | $104.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.83 | $11.35 |
| Efficient EV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.69 | $9.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.6 | 1 | $33.11 | $15.14 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Morning in South Bend on Friday
Local time
11:41 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
24 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 7m 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 Rising Sun, IN to South Bend, IN covers 236.5 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Meridian Street, I 74, I 69. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.3 miles from Rising Sun, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.97 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 25 significant decision points across 236.5 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 8.3 miles (SR 56 / Judiciary Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.2 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Rising Sun, IN to South Bend, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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