How far is Auburn, IN from Elkhart, IN?

The driving distance from Auburn, IN to Elkhart, IN is about 61 miles (98.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.3 miles (84.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
60.93 mi
01h 33m
Flight
52.23 mi
84.05 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Auburn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.23 mi
Kilometers
84.05 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
60.93 mi
Kilometers
98.06 km
Drive Time
01h 33m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 11:28 PM EDT
Return by in Auburn
Thu, Apr 23, 1:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Auburn
2026-04-22T21:54
Arrive Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 11:28 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Auburn
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Ligonier
IN

City in Noble County, Indiana, United States of America

From Auburn
30.4 mi
00h 46m
To Elkhart
30.5 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Elkhart.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Elkhart.

  1. 1

    Start on West 7th Street

    8.5 mi · 13 min · West 7th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    2.7 mi · 4 min

  3. 3

    Turn left onto E 300 N

    8.1 mi · 9 min · E 300 N

  4. 4

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North Orange Street

    107 m · 18 sec · North Orange Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West Jefferson Street

    1335 ft · 26 sec · West Jefferson Street

  7. 7

    Continue on West Albion Road

    2.4 mi · 3 min · West Albion Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North 290 West

    3.4 mi · 4 min · North 290 West

  9. 9

    Turn left onto US Highway 6

    11.3 mi · 16 min · US Highway 6

  10. 10

    Turn right

    22.8 mi · 41 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Marion Street

    1450 ft · 46 sec · West Marion Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Pletcher Court

    38 m · 7 sec · Pletcher Court

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pletcher Court

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Elkhart.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 6
11.3 mi · 19%
West 7th Street
8.45 mi · 14%
E 300 N
8.07 mi · 13%
North 290 West
3.38 mi · 6%
West Albion Road
2.38 mi · 4%
East Main Street
1.15 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

22.8 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
52.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ligonier
00h 46m from Auburn
Leave By
3:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Auburn and Sunny near Elkhart.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Elkhart?

The road trip is about 61 miles (98.1 km) and usually takes 01h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Ligonier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.4 miles from Auburn and 30.5 miles from Elkhart.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 52.3 miles (84.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.11 one way or $16.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Auburn and Sunny near Elkhart.

Stop Ideas Near Ligonier

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ligonier, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ligonier.

RAIL

Elkhart station

40 mi away
131 Tyler Avenue
RAIL

Waterloo

47 mi away
Lincoln and Center Street
RAIL

South Bend station

63 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue
RAIL

Niles station

69 mi away
598 Dey St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Elkhart. Straight-line distance: 52.23 mi (84.05 km).

Auburn

#1 Auburn

City in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States

Population13,617
Coordinates41.3669900, -85.0588600
Altitude264
CountryUnited States
Elkhart

#2 Elkhart

The most populous city in Elkhart County, Indiana.

Population52,172
Coordinates41.6819900, -85.9766700
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Start: Auburn (-85.05886, 41.36699)
End: Elkhart (-85.97667, 41.68199)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 98 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.15 gal
8.14 L · about $8.11
Round trip
$16.22
4.3 gal · 16.28 L
Estimated CO2
19.1 kg one way
Round trip: 38.2 kg / 84 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.11 $16.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.14 $18.29
Premium $4.65 $10.01 $20.01
Diesel $5.30 $11.40 $22.81

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Indiana · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Auburn and Elkhart. The current time is 21:54:52.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.