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

The driving distance from South Bend, IN to Burns Harbor, IN is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m 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
56.17 mi
01h 14m
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 South Bend.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
56.17 mi
Kilometers
90.4 km
Drive Time
01h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Burns Harbor
Thu, Apr 16, 2:11 AM CDT
Return by in South Bend
Thu, Apr 16, 4:26 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Bend
2026-04-16T01:57
Arrive Burns Harbor
Thu, Apr 16, 3:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:14 AM to 10:14 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Bend
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
Smith
IN

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

From South Bend
28 mi
00h 37m
To Burns Harbor
28.1 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Navarre Street

    40 m · 9 sec · East Navarre Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Michigan Street

    720 ft · 25 sec · North Michigan Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street

    45 m · 8 sec · North Michigan Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · North Michigan Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road

    1.4 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago

    2913 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    26.6 mi · 29 min · Indiana Toll Road

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 39: La Porte

    2284 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    905 ft · 22 sec

  10. 10

    Turn slight right

    75 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn left

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit straight toward I 94 West: Chicago

    1289 ft · 44 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    13.5 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 49 North

    2777 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn slight left

    100 m · 12 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    118 m · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Dunes Highway

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Dunes Highway

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    1407 ft · 51 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right

    52 m · 7 sec

  22. 22

    Turn slight right

    2545 ft · 2 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    941 ft · 46 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto P Street

    1976 ft · 1 min · P Street

  25. 25

    Continue on 6th Street

    1036 ft · 45 sec · 6th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · R Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indiana Toll Road
26.6 mi · 47%
I 94 West
13.8 mi · 25%
Dunes Highway
3.33 mi · 6%
North Michigan Street
1.87 mi · 3%
I 80
0.9 mi · 2%
SR 39
0.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Indiana Toll Road

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

26.6 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 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
45.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smith
00h 37m from South Bend
Leave By
4:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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 miles from South Bend and 28.1 miles from Burns Harbor.

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 10.4 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 4:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.47 one way or $14.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between South Bend and Burns Harbor, 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 South Bend and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Burns Harbor.

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 South Bend and Burns Harbor. Straight-line distance: 45.78 mi (73.67 km).

South Bend

#1 South Bend

The most populous city in St.

Population101,868
Coordinates41.6833800, -86.2500100
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Burns Harbor

#2 Burns Harbor

Town in Indiana, United States

Population1,922
Coordinates41.6258700, -87.1333700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Start: South Bend (-86.25001, 41.68338)
End: Burns Harbor (-87.13337, 41.62587)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 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
1.98 gal
7.5 L · about $7.47
Round trip
$14.93
3.96 gal · 15 L
Estimated CO2
17.6 kg one way
Round trip: 35.2 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.47 $14.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.42 $16.84
Premium $4.65 $9.21 $18.43
Diesel $5.30 $10.50 $21.00

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 South Bend, IN and Burns Harbor, IN. The current time in South Bend is 01:57:22, although it is 00:57:22 in Burns Harbor.

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.