How far is Elkhart, IN from Bedford, IN?

The estimated driving distance from Elkhart, IN to Bedford, IN is about 245.9 miles (395.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
245.94 mi
04h 18m · estimated
Flight
196.75 mi
316.64 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elkhart.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
196.75 mi
Kilometers
316.64 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
245.94 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
395.8 km
Drive Time
04h 18m

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 04h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bedford
Sat, Apr 11, 5:29 AM EDT
Return by in Elkhart
Sat, Apr 11, 9:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elkhart
2026-04-11T01:10
Arrive Bedford
Sat, Apr 11, 5:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:22 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elkhart
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Kempton
IN

Human settlement in Tipton County, Indiana, United States of America

From Elkhart
98.4 mi
02h 09m
To Bedford
147.6 mi
02h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
72°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph E

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.2 mi
196.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kempton
02h 09m from Elkhart
Leave By
8:22 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Elkhart and Mostly Sunny near Bedford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 245.9 miles (395.8 km) and usually takes 04h 18m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Kempton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.4 miles from Elkhart and 147.6 miles from Bedford.

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

The direct path is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:22 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.73 one way or $65.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elkhart and Mostly Sunny near Bedford.

Stop Ideas Near Kempton

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

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

RAIL

Lafayette station

58 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

59 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

62 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

63 mi away
Spring and Green Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elkhart and Bedford. Straight-line distance: 196.75 mi (316.64 km).

Elkhart

#1 Elkhart

The most populous city in Elkhart County, Indiana.

Population52,172
Coordinates41.6819900, -85.9766700
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Bedford

#2 Bedford

Town in Lawrence County, Indiana, United States

Population13,233
Coordinates38.8611600, -86.4872100
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: Elkhart (-85.97667, 41.68199)
End: Bedford (-86.48721, 38.86116)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 396 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.68 gal
32.85 L · about $32.73
Round trip
$65.46
17.36 gal · 65.7 L
Estimated CO2
77.1 kg one way
Round trip: 154.3 kg / 340 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.73 $65.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.92 $73.83
Premium $4.65 $40.40 $80.79
Diesel $5.30 $46.04 $92.08

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Elkhart and Bedford. The current time is 01:10:47.

Distance to Other Cities

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