How far is South Bend, IN from East Chicago, IN?
The driving distance from South Bend, IN to East Chicago, IN is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 26m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Bend and East Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bend and East Chicago.
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1
Start on East Navarre Street
40 m · 9 sec · East Navarre Street
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2
Turn right onto North Michigan Street
720 ft · 25 sec · North Michigan Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street
45 m · 8 sec · North Michigan Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Michigan Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 80, I 90: Indiana Toll Road
1.4 km · 2 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
2913 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
65.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Indiana Toll Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward SR 912 South: Gary, Cline Avenue
1 km · 1 min
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9
Continue straight
1.1 km · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on SR 912 North, SR 312 North: Cline Avenue, Chicago Avenue, Gary/Chicago International Airport
60 m · 5 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Cline Avenue
2574 ft · 52 sec · Cline Avenue
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12
Take the ramp slight left toward SR 912 North: Cline Avenue
684 ft · 17 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Cline Avenue
1730 ft · 24 sec · Cline Avenue
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Airport Road
1635 ft · 38 sec
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15
Turn left onto Airport Road
636 ft · 15 sec · Airport Road
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 12 West, SR 912 North: Columbus Drive, Cline Avenue
42 m · 2 sec
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Columbus Drive
46 m · 3 sec · East Columbus Drive
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18
Exit the roundabout onto East Columbus Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Columbus Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Columbus Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bend and East Chicago.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Indiana Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
65.6 mi · 01h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Bend and Showers And Thunderstorms near East Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Bend to East Chicago?
The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
LaPorte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.4 miles from South Bend and 36.5 miles from East Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.3 miles (100.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.69 one way or $19.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 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 East Chicago, 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 near East Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near LaPorte
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to LaPorte.
Michigan City
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo
South Bend station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bend and East Chicago. Straight-line distance: 62.26 mi (100.2 km).
#1 South Bend
The most populous city in St.
| Population | 101,868 |
| Coordinates | 41.6833800, -86.2500100 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
#2 East Chicago
City in Lake County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 27,742 |
| Coordinates | 41.6392000, -87.4547600 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago (-87.45476, 41.6392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.96 | $23.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.63 | $27.26 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.