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Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
249.8 mi
402 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
New Pekin, IN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from South Bend, IN to New Pekin, IN covers 249.8 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 31, I 65, South Michigan Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.5 miles on US 31. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.05 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
124.9 miles from South Bend, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
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This is a 5h 16m highway drive covering 249.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 31 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.5 miles on US 31.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 249.8 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 122.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Emerson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 31 | 93.5 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 65 | 73.4 mi | 1h 19m |
| South Michigan Street | 28.2 mi | 38m |
| State Road 56 | 15.5 mi | 23m |
| I 69 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| State Road 60 | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Keystone Parkway | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| I 465 | 4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and New Pekin, IN.
Start on East Navarre Street
Turn left onto SR 933; BUS US 31
Enter roundabout onto North Michigan Street
Continue on North Michigan Street
Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Continue on South Michigan Street
Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31
Continue on BUS US 31
Continue on BUS US 31
Merge onto US 31
Turn slight right
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto East 226th Street
Turn left
Continue on this road
Turn right onto East 226th Street
Turn right onto US 31
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway
Enter roundabout
Continue
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 465
Merge onto I 69; I 465
Continue on I 69; I 74; I 465
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue
Turn right onto East Southport Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 56
Continue on SR 56
Continue on SR 56
Turn left onto SR 60; SR 135
Enter roundabout onto SR 60
Continue on SR 60
Arrive at destination
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.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 42m 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 New Pekin, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Bend, 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 South Bend, IN
This is one driving day of about 249.8 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.9 mi from South Bend, IN · 2h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.9 miles from South Bend, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 31 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.5 miles.
The final approach into New Pekin, 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 New Pekin, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$39.05 one way
$78.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.88 | $85.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.07 | $96.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.15 | $110.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.23 | $11.99 |
| Efficient EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.86 | $9.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.97 | $15.99 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in South Bend on Tuesday
Local time
11:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Night in New Pekin on Tuesday
Local time
11:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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