This 70.1-mile drive from Ross to South Bend, Indiana, will take you about 1 hour and 28 minutes. It's a straightforward trip that's perfect for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. You'll be navigating primarily on the Indiana Toll Road and the Borman Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this route is quite economical for a quick journey within the Midwest. The overall feel is that of a typical local drive with a few turn-heavy sections mixed in.
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
35 miles from Ross, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this 70.1-mile journey. While about 10% of this route involves highway driving, including a significant 55.3-mile stretch on the Indiana Toll Road, the character shifts. You'll experience a mix of faster highway segments and more involved local road navigation. This means you'll need to be attentive to turns and changes in speed limits as you transition between different types of roads. The drive offers a varied experience, moving from open highway to more localized areas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Indiana Toll Road is the longest continuous segment at about 55.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near SR 55 / Main Street.
Route Complexity6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.5 miles (SR 55 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|SR 55 / Main Street
Turn left onto SR 55 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
10.5 mi into trip|~17m in|I 80
Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90
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 16
Toward I 80 East, I 90
8
11.4 mi into trip|~20m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll...
5
11.6 mi into trip|~21m in|I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
67 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dam...
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 Ross, IN to South Bend, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana Toll Road East along the way.
Indiana Toll Road East
11.4 mi in|~20m|via I 80
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Indiana Toll Road
55.3 mi
1h
Borman Expressway
6 mi
8m
North Michigan Street
1.9 mi
4m
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
I 80
1.1 mi
3m
West 47th Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Cleveland Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Indiana Toll Road
— 55.3 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ross, IN and South Bend, IN.
1
Start on Chase Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Chase Street
2
Continue on West 49th Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·West 49th Avenue
3
Continue on Wilson Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Wilson Street
4
Continue on West 47th Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·West 47th Avenue
5
Turn left onto SR 55
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on SR 55
0.3 mi·39 sec·Cleveland Street
7
Turn right onto US 6 Business
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Ridge Road
8
Turn left onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Detroit
10
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
6.0 mi·8 min·Borman Expressway
11
Take the exit onto I 80
0.9 mi·2 min·I 80
Exit 16Toward I 80 East, I 90Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi·49 sec·I 80
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80; I 90
55 mi·1 hr·Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
15
Turn right onto SR 933
1.7 mi·3 min·North Michigan Street
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 933; BUS US 31
156 ft·8 sec·North Michigan Street
17
Continue on SR 933; BUS US 31
0.1 mi·27 sec·North Michigan Street
18
Turn left onto East Navarre Street
131 ft·4 sec·East Navarre Street
19
Arrive at destination
East Navarre Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 70.1-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Ross, IN, in the morning will get you to South Bend in under 1.5 hours, making it an easy day trip. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $11 for the entire journey. A specific tip: be prepared for the "turn-heavy local drive" character, especially as you get closer to South Bend; stay alert for navigation changes on North Michigan Street.
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 35 miles from Ross, IN, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.3 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 70.1 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35 miles or 46m 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 13m
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 Ross, 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 Ross, IN
This is one driving day of about 70.1 miles and 1h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ross, 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 Indiana Toll Road for about 55.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 35 miles from Ross, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$20
near mile 19.3
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.65 one way
$21.29 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$11.74
$23.48
premium
$4.80
$13.23
$26.47
diesel
$5.64
$15.57
$31.15
Estimated Tolls: $3.87
Indiana Toll Road
(55.3 mi)$3.87
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21
0
$7.36
$3.36
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.13
$2.80
EV Truck/SUV
28
0
$9.81
$4.49
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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 5 days ago
Origin
Ross, IN
Evening
in Ross on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Bend, IN
Evening
in South Bend on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 PM
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
1h 28m 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 Ross, IN to South Bend, IN covers 70.1 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Indiana Toll Road, Borman Expressway, North Michigan Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35 miles from Ross, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.65 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.5 miles (SR 55 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.5 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ross, IN to South Bend, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana Toll Road East along the way.
