Trip from South Bend, IN to Terre Haute, IN

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

218.2 mi

351 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 24m

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

Downtown South Bend, IN, IN

South Bend, IN

Tom Fisk

Downtown Terre Haute, IN, IN

Terre Haute, IN

Diego F. Parra

Trip Overview

The drive from South Bend, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 218.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 31, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, South Michigan Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.1 miles on US 31. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.14 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

109.1 miles from South Bend, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from South Bend, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 218.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m, 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 28 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 99.1 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 127.8 miles in near US 31.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 218.2 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 127.8 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

8
127.8 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in | US 31

Take the exit onto US 31 toward I 465, US 31 South

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 123 Toward I 465, US 31 South
7
128.4 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 465 West
8
149.2 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis

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 9A-B Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Internat...
9
149.4 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 9B Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Int...
7
152.1 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis

Towns Along This Route

Between South Bend, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis International Airport and Indianapolis.

Indianapolis International Airport

149.2 mi in | ~3h 12m

Indianapolis

149.2 mi in | ~3h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 31 99.1 mi 2h 4m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 63.1 mi 1h 8m
South Michigan Street 28.2 mi 38m
I 465 20.2 mi 24m
South 3rd Street 2.4 mi 5m
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 0.6 mi 2m
North Michigan Street 0.1 mi <1m
East 226th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 31 — 99.1 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Terre Haute, IN.

1

Start on East Navarre Street

131 ft · 12 sec · East Navarre Street
2

Turn left onto SR 933; BUS US 31

444 ft · 12 sec · North Michigan Street
3

Enter roundabout onto North Michigan Street

125 ft · 7 sec · North Michigan Street
4

Continue on North Michigan Street

196 ft · 6 sec · North Michigan Street
5

Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

0.6 mi · 2 min · North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
6

Continue on South Michigan Street

2.5 mi · 6 min · South Michigan Street
7

Enter roundabout onto BUS US 31

125 ft · 7 sec · South Michigan Street
8

Continue on BUS US 31

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Michigan Street
9

Continue on BUS US 31

25 mi · 29 min · South Michigan Street
10

Merge onto US 31

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 31
11

Turn slight right

512 ft · 6 sec
12

Continue on US 31

85 mi · 1 hr 44 min · US 31
13

Turn right onto East 226th Street

270 ft · 10 sec · East 226th Street
14

Turn left

320 ft · 50 sec
15

Continue on this road

320 ft · 25 sec · this road
16

Turn right onto East 226th Street

270 ft · 9 sec · East 226th Street
17

Turn right onto US 31

13 mi · 17 min · US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto US 31

0.6 mi · 55 sec · US 31
Exit 123 Toward I 465, US 31 South Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 465 West Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto I 465

4.8 mi · 5 min · I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 465

15 mi · 18 min · I 465
Toward I 465 South
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 9A-B Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork

2.6 mi · 5 min
Exit 9B Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis Use the slight left lane.
25

Merge onto I 70

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 7 Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
27

Turn right onto US 41; US 150

2.4 mi · 5 min · South 3rd Street
28

Arrive at destination

US 41; US 150

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 109.1 miles from South Bend, IN, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.1 miles or 2h 20m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 46m

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

Before You Leave

+

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 218.2 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Bend, 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 99.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.1 mi from South Bend, IN · 2h 20m into the drive

Downtown Cincinnati, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cincinnati, OH

109 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.

Cincinnati, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.1 miles from South Bend, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 31 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.1 miles.

Arriving in Terre Haute, IN

The final approach into Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, 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

$33.14 one way

$66.28 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $36.54 $73.07
premium $4.80 $41.19 $82.38
diesel $5.64 $48.48 $96.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Mishawaka, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage - Tesla Supercharger

South Bend, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Carmel, IN

Tesla

10 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Kokomo, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

GetGo Café and Market - Tesla Supercharger

Carmel, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Granger, IN

Granger, IN

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

University Park Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Mishawaka, IN

Tesla

6 DCFC

Meijer #130 (Carmel, IN)

Carmel, IN

Electrify America

6 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 9 Tesla: 6 EV Connect: 3 Electrify America: 2 Blink Network: 2 CHARGELAB: 2 Non-Networked: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 RED_E: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.5 0 $22.91 $10.47
Efficient EV 54.6 0 $19.09 $8.73
EV Truck/SUV 87.3 1 $30.55 $13.96

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

26 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

South Bend, IN

Morning in South Bend on Monday

Local time

10:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, IN

Morning in Terre Haute on Monday

Local time

10:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°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

22 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 32m 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 South Bend, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 218.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 31, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, South Michigan Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.1 miles from South Bend, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.14 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 18 significant decision points across 218.2 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 127.8 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Bend, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis International Airport and Indianapolis.

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Return Trip

Terre Haute, IN to South Bend, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

218.9 mi 4h 34m

Explore more options from South Bend, IN or browse trips ending in Terre Haute, IN.

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