How far is Burns Harbor, IN from South Bend, IN?

The driving distance from Burns Harbor, IN to South Bend, IN is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
56.39 mi
01h 03m
Flight
45.78 mi
73.67 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Burns Harbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.78 mi
Kilometers
73.67 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.39 mi
Kilometers
90.75 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Bend
Thu, Apr 16, 1:28 AM EDT
Return by in Burns Harbor
Thu, Apr 16, 1:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burns Harbor
2026-04-15T23:24
Arrive South Bend
Thu, Apr 16, 12:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM EDT

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

Leave by
4:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Burns Harbor
9:30 PM CDT
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
Smith
IN

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

From Burns Harbor
28.6 mi
00h 31m
To South Bend
27.8 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Burns Harbor and South Bend.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burns Harbor and South Bend.

  1. 1

    Start on R Street

    22 m · 3 sec · R Street

  2. 2

    Continue on 6th Street

    964 ft · 42 sec · 6th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on P Street

    1976 ft · 1 min · P Street

  4. 4

    Turn right

    1.1 km · 2 min

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1278 ft · 49 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Dunes Highway

    1908 ft · 36 sec · Dunes Highway

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Max Mochal Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Max Mochal Highway

  8. 8

    Turn left

    1.3 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit

    2207 ft · 55 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    16.9 mi · 18 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

    2175 ft · 55 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp left

    1570 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    2346 ft · 57 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    26.9 mi · 29 min · Indiana Toll Road

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Michigan Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · North Michigan Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street

    47 m · 9 sec · North Michigan Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street

    718 ft · 28 sec · North Michigan Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East Navarre Street

    40 m · 5 sec · East Navarre Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Navarre Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Burns Harbor and South Bend.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
22 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indiana Toll Road
26.9 mi · 48%
I 94 East
17.3 mi · 31%
US 20 East
4.88 mi · 9%
North Michigan Street
1.87 mi · 3%
Max Mochal Highway
1.21 mi · 2%
SR 933
1.2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Indiana Toll Road

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

26.9 mi · 00h 29m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.6 mi
45.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smith
00h 31m from Burns Harbor
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Burns Harbor and Showers And Thunderstorms near South Bend.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Burns Harbor to South Bend?

The road trip is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Smith is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.6 miles from Burns Harbor and 27.8 miles from South Bend.

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

The direct path is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $15.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Burns Harbor and South Bend, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Burns Harbor and Showers And Thunderstorms near South Bend.

Stop Ideas Near Smith

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Smith, 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 Smith.

RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

10 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

11 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Michigan City

20 mi away
100 Washington St.
RAIL

South Bend station

32 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burns Harbor and South Bend. Straight-line distance: 45.78 mi (73.67 km).

Burns Harbor

#1 Burns Harbor

Town in Indiana, United States

Population1,922
Coordinates41.6258700, -87.1333700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
South Bend

#2 South Bend

The most populous city in St.

Population101,868
Coordinates41.6833800, -86.2500100
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Start: R Street (-87.134114, 41.626455)
End: East Navarre Street (-86.250008, 41.683158)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.99 gal
7.53 L · about $7.50
Round trip
$15.01
3.98 gal · 15.06 L
Estimated CO2
17.7 kg one way
Round trip: 35.4 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.50 $15.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.46 $16.93
Premium $4.65 $9.26 $18.52
Diesel $5.30 $10.55 $21.11

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 16, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Burns Harbor, IN and South Bend, IN. The current time in Burns Harbor is 23:24:52, although it is 00:24:52 in South Bend.

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.