Origin
South Bend, IN
Late night in South Bend on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
56.2 mi
90 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Bend, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Burns Harbor, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN covers 56.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Indiana Toll Road, I 94, US 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.6 miles on Indiana Toll Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.79 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 56.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN covers 56.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m, 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 26 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 26.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
818 ft
614 ft
Total Climb
217 ft
Total Descent
294 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~28.1 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
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 0.2 miles in near SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street
Enter roundabout onto SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
5
30 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward SR 39: La Porte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 49
Toward SR 39: La Porte
7
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward SR 49 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26B
Toward SR 49 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| I 94 | 13.5 mi | 14m |
| US 20 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Dunes Highway | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| North Michigan Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| SR 49 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| SR 39 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| P Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Indiana Toll Road
— 26.6 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend, IN and Burns Harbor, IN.
1
Start on East Navarre Street
131 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Navarre Street
2
Turn right onto SR 933; BUS US 31
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Michigan Street
3
Enter roundabout onto SR 933; BUS US 31
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Michigan Street
4
Continue on SR 933; BUS US 31
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Michigan Street
5
Take the ramp
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 80; I 90
27 mi
·
28 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 49
Toward SR 39: La Porte
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
10
Turn slight right
247 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn straight onto SR 39
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 39
12
Turn left onto US 20
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 20
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
14
Merge onto I 94
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 94
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 26B
Toward SR 49 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto SR 49
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 49
17
Turn slight left
327 ft
·
11 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
386 ft
·
16 sec
19
Turn straight onto US 12
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Dunes Highway
20
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
170 ft
·
7 sec
22
Turn slight right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
23
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
this road
24
Turn left onto P Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
P Street
25
Continue on 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
6th Street
26
Arrive at destination
R Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.1 mi from South Bend, IN · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.1 miles from South Bend, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Burns Harbor, IN
The final approach into Burns Harbor, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.79 one way
$17.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.65 | $19.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.82 | $21.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.86
Indiana Toll Road
(26.6 mi)
$1.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$2
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.90 | $2.70 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.87 | $3.60 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Burns Harbor, IN
Late night in Burns Harbor on Saturday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
12 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
1h 14m 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 South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN covers 56.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Indiana Toll Road, I 94, US 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.1 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 $8.79 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 56.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (SR 933; BUS US 31 / North Michigan Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 614 ft to 818 ft elevation with about 217 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Indiana Dunes National Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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