How far is Griffith, IN from Elkhart, IN?

The driving distance from Griffith, IN to Elkhart, IN is about 89.5 miles (144.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 43m 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
89.52 mi
01h 51m
Flight
75.5 mi
121.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Griffith.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
75.5 mi
Kilometers
121.51 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.52 mi
Kilometers
144.07 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 9:40 PM EDT
Return by in Griffith
Wed, Apr 22, 10:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Griffith
2026-04-22T18:48
Arrive Elkhart
Wed, Apr 22, 8:40 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Griffith
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 Griffith
44.7 mi
00h 55m
To Elkhart
44.9 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph N
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 Griffith and Elkhart.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Miller Street

    71 m · 15 sec · East Miller Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Wood Street

    662 ft · 31 sec · North Wood Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Elm Street

    2643 ft · 1 min · East Elm Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Colfax Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Colfax Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Ridge Road

    2643 ft · 1 min · West Ridge Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Burr Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Burr Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Detroit

    1832 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

    8.6 mi · 12 min · Borman Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 90

    1.4 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East

    1438 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    70.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Indiana Toll Road

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 19: Elkhart

    1.2 km · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    568 ft · 21 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Cassopolis Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Cassopolis Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Bristol Street

    1269 ft · 29 sec · East Bristol Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Franklin Street

    1453 ft · 38 sec · West Franklin Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Pletcher Court

    89 m · 17 sec · Pletcher Court

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pletcher Court

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indiana Toll Road
70.6 mi · 79%
Borman Expressway
8.58 mi · 10%
Cassopolis Street
2.23 mi · 2%
I 80 East
1.49 mi · 2%
North Colfax Street
1.35 mi · 2%
Burr Street
1.33 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Indiana Toll Road

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

70.6 mi · 01h 17m

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 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
75.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smith
00h 55m from Griffith
Leave By
2:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Griffith and Sunny near Elkhart.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 89.5 miles (144.1 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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 44.7 miles from Griffith and 44.9 miles from Elkhart.

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

The direct path is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 2:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.92 one way or $23.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.1 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Griffith and Elkhart, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Griffith and Sunny near Elkhart.

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 Griffith and Elkhart. Straight-line distance: 75.5 mi (121.51 km).

Griffith

#1 Griffith

Town in Calumet and St.

Population16,032
Coordinates41.5283700, -87.4236500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Elkhart

#2 Elkhart

The most populous city in Elkhart County, Indiana.

Population52,172
Coordinates41.6819900, -85.9766700
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Start: Griffith (-87.42365, 41.52837)
End: Elkhart (-85.97667, 41.68199)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.16 gal
11.96 L · about $11.92
Round trip
$23.83
6.32 gal · 23.92 L
Estimated CO2
28.1 kg one way
Round trip: 56.2 kg / 124 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.92 $23.83
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.44 $26.88
Premium $4.65 $14.71 $29.41
Diesel $5.30 $16.76 $33.52

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 22, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Griffith, IN and Elkhart, IN. The current time in Griffith is 18:48:35, although it is 19:48:35 in Elkhart.

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.