How far is South Bend, IN from Franklin, IN?

The driving distance from South Bend, IN to Franklin, IN is about 166.4 miles (267.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
166.37 mi
03h 36m
Flight
152.54 mi
245.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Bend.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.54 mi
Kilometers
245.49 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
166.37 mi
Kilometers
267.75 km
Drive Time
03h 36m

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 03h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Mon, May 4, 10:42 PM EDT
Return by in South Bend
Tue, May 5, 2:18 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Bend
2026-05-04T19:06
Arrive Franklin
Mon, May 4, 10:42 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM EDT

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

Leave by
9:48 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Bend
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
Kokomo
IN

The most populous city in Howard County, Indiana.

From South Bend
83.3 mi
01h 48m
To Franklin
83.1 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
75°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Bend and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on East Navarre Street

    40 m · 12 sec · East Navarre Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Michigan Street

    135 m · 13 sec · North Michigan Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street

    38 m · 7 sec · North Michigan Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street

    60 m · 7 sec · North Michigan Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

    1 km · 2 min · North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on South Michigan Street

    2.5 mi · 7 min · South Michigan Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Michigan Street

    38 m · 7 sec · South Michigan Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto South Michigan Street

    3118 ft · 1 min · South Michigan Street

  9. 9

    Continue on South Michigan Street

    25.1 mi · 30 min · South Michigan Street

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn slight right

    156 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    84.6 mi · 1 hr 45 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East 226th Street

    82 m · 10 sec · East 226th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left

    98 m · 51 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    98 m · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East 226th Street

    82 m · 10 sec · East 226th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    8 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace Boulevard

    1178 ft · 29 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Keystone Parkway

    5.2 mi · 8 min · Keystone Parkway

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue

    42 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto I 465: South Keystone Avenue

    1346 ft · 33 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South

    131 m · 11 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on I 465 East

    1.2 km · 2 min

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    4 mi · 5 min

  25. 25

    Merge slight right

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward Emerson Avenue

    1296 ft · 32 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight left

    1069 ft · 28 sec

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue

    2.6 mi · 4 min · South Emerson Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right onto East Southport Road

    2440 ft · 53 sec · East Southport Road

  31. 31

    Take the ramp left

    1656 ft · 43 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 44: Shelbyville, Franklin

    2078 ft · 46 sec

  34. 34

    Turn right onto East King Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · East King Street

  35. 35

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East King Street

    31 m · 2 sec · East King Street

  36. 36

    Exit the roundabout onto East King Street

    3079 ft · 58 sec · East King Street

  37. 37

    Turn left onto North Forsythe Street

    150 m · 10 sec · North Forsythe Street

  38. 38

    Turn right onto East Jefferson Street

    3279 ft · 55 sec · East Jefferson Street

  39. 39

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Jefferson Street

Car Route Details

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

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
39 steps
19 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
16
4 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Michigan Street
114 mi · 68%
I 465 East
18.5 mi · 11%
East Southport Road
13.7 mi · 8%
Keystone Parkway
5.46 mi · 3%
South Emerson Avenue
2.59 mi · 2%
East King Street
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Michigan Street

Continue straight

84.6 mi · 01h 45m

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
03h 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.9 mi
152.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kokomo
01h 48m from South Bend
Leave By
9:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Bend and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Bend to Franklin?

The road trip is about 166.4 miles (267.8 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?

Kokomo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.3 miles from South Bend and 83.1 miles from Franklin.

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

The direct path is about 152.5 miles (245.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 9:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.14 one way or $44.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Bend and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.

Stop Ideas Near Kokomo

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

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

RAIL

Lafayette station

65 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

80 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

81 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Crawfordsville

81 mi away
Spring and Green Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Bend and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 152.54 mi (245.49 km).

South Bend

#1 South Bend

The most populous city in St.

Population101,868
Coordinates41.6833800, -86.2500100
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Franklin

City in Johnson County, Indiana, United States

Population24,598
Coordinates39.4806100, -86.0549900
Altitude221
CountryUnited States
Start: South Bend (-86.25001, 41.68338)
End: Franklin (-86.05499, 39.48061)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 268 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.87 gal
22.22 L · about $22.14
Round trip
$44.27
11.74 gal · 44.44 L
Estimated CO2
52.2 kg one way
Round trip: 104.3 kg / 230 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.14 $44.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.97 $49.93
Premium $4.65 $27.32 $54.64
Diesel $5.30 $31.13 $62.27

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between South Bend and Franklin. The current time is 19:06:23.

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.