Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from South Bend, IN to Martinsville, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

177.9 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 36m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city and county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States of America

South Bend, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Morgan County, Indiana, United States

Martinsville, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from South Bend, IN to Martinsville, IN covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 31, South Michigan Street, I 465 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.1 miles on US 31. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.81 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

88.9 miles from South Bend, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 177.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 48m highway drive covering 177.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 31 and South Michigan Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.1 miles on US 31.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and South Michigan Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.8 miles in near US 31.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 177.9 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 114.8 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

6
114.8 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | US 31

Turn right onto US 31

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
7
153.5 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville
6
175.5 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Take the exit toward SR 44, SR 252

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 140 Toward SR 44, SR 252

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 31 99.1 mi 2h 4m
South Michigan Street 28.2 mi 38m
I 465 24.4 mi 28m
I 69 21.3 mi 24m
East Morgan Street 1.4 mi 4m
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 0.6 mi 2m
Reuben Drive 0.4 mi <1m
North Michigan 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 Martinsville, 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

20 mi · 23 min · I 465
Toward I 465 South
22

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 69

21 mi · 24 min · I 69
24

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 140 Toward SR 44, SR 252
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward SR 44 East
26

Turn right onto Reuben Drive

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Reuben Drive
27

Turn slight left onto East Morgan Street

1.4 mi · 4 min · East Morgan Street
28

Arrive at destination

East Morgan 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 88.9 miles from South Bend, IN, or about 1h 55m 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 39 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.9 miles or 1h 55m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martinsville, 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 177.9 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 88.9 mi from South Bend, IN · 1h 55m into the drive

Downtown Indian Heights, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indian Heights, IN

89 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

Winamac, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kokomo, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.9 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 Martinsville, IN

The final approach into Martinsville, 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 Martinsville, 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

$27.81 one way

$55.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.54 $61.07
premium $4.89 $34.24 $68.47
diesel $5.61 $39.28 $78.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54
Efficient EV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12
EV Truck/SUV 71.2 0 $24.91 $11.39

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

South Bend, IN

Evening in South Bend on Friday

Local time

7:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 to 15 mph 53% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 7:12PM EDT until April 13 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 13 at 7:01PM EDT until April 13 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Destination

Martinsville, IN

Evening in Martinsville on Friday

Local time

7:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°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

11 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

3h 48m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Martinsville, IN covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 31, South Michigan Street, I 465. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 88.9 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 $27.81 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 177.9 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 114.8 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

The route from South Bend, IN to Martinsville, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Martinsville, IN

Hammond, IN 182.4 mi · 3h 34m Evansville, IN 136.6 mi · 2h 35m Richmond, IN 102 mi · 2h 3m Indianapolis, IN 30.9 mi · 45m

More from South Bend, IN

Center, IN 314.4 mi · 6h 16m Evansville, IN 314.1 mi · 6h 16m Troy, IN 304.3 mi · 6h 25m Bicknell, IN 256.1 mi · 5h 20m Saint Joseph, IN 246.3 mi · 5h 7m Albion, IN 224.1 mi · 4h 41m

More trips to Martinsville, IN

Concord, IN 179.9 mi Goshen, IN 83.6 mi Fishers, IN 51 mi Indianapolis, IN 31.8 mi
Weekend drives from South Bend, IN Scenic drives in IN

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.