How far is South Bend, IN from Franklin, IN?
The driving distance from South Bend, IN to Franklin, IN is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
County seat of Wabash County, Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
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.
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1
Start on East Navarre Street
40 m · 12 sec · East Navarre Street
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2
Turn left onto North Michigan Street
135 m · 13 sec · North Michigan Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street
38 m · 7 sec · North Michigan Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street
60 m · 7 sec · North Michigan Street
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5
Continue on North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
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6
Continue on South Michigan Street
2.5 mi · 7 min · South Michigan Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Michigan Street
38 m · 7 sec · South Michigan Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto South Michigan Street
3118 ft · 1 min · South Michigan Street
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9
Continue on South Michigan Street
25.1 mi · 30 min · South Michigan Street
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10
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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11
Turn slight right
156 m · 7 sec
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12
Continue straight
27.5 mi · 35 min
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13
Turn left onto West 1000 North
11.1 mi · 16 min · West 1000 North
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14
Continue on State Road 16
3.1 mi · 5 min · State Road 16
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15
Turn right onto North 500 West
6.4 mi · 9 min · North 500 West
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16
Continue on County Road 500 West
2271 ft · 38 sec · County Road 500 West
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17
Continue on North Cass Street
1.3 km · 1 min · North Cass Street
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18
Continue on Cass Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Cass Street
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19
Turn left onto West Canal Street
954 ft · 22 sec · West Canal Street
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20
Turn right onto South Wabash Street
11.8 mi · 17 min · South Wabash Street
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21
Continue on County Road 187 West
2304 ft · 39 sec · County Road 187 West
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22
Continue on North Wabash Road
4.8 mi · 7 min · North Wabash Road
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23
Continue on North Wabash Avenue
2919 ft · 53 sec · North Wabash Avenue
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24
Turn right onto North Baldwin Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Baldwin Avenue
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25
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West 4th Street
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26
Continue on Sears Drive
2795 ft · 40 sec · Sears Drive
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27
Continue on East 4th Street
5.2 mi · 6 min · East 4th Street
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28
Take the exit slight right
1524 ft · 37 sec
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29
Merge slight left
18.8 mi · 20 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward US 35 South, SR 28: Alexandria, Albany
1624 ft · 37 sec
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31
Turn left onto East County Road 600 North
627 ft · 11 sec · East County Road 600 North
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32
Continue on East 600 North
10 mi · 15 min · East 600 North
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33
Turn right onto North County Road 100 East
8.7 mi · 12 min · North County Road 100 East
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34
Take the exit slight right toward US 35: Richmond, Muncie
1554 ft · 38 sec
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35
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 29th Street
16.6 mi · 19 min · East 29th Street
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36
Turn right onto Weaver Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Weaver Road
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37
Turn left onto Dalton Road
1.5 mi · 6 min · Dalton Road
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38
Turn right onto Nobblett Road
2746 ft · 2 min · Nobblett Road
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nobblett Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Bend and Franklin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Michigan Street
Continue straight
27.5 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving South Bend and Mostly Sunny 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 164.7 miles (265.1 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Wabash is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.4 miles from South Bend and 82.4 miles from Franklin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 9:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around South Bend and Mostly Sunny near Franklin.
Stop Ideas Near Wabash
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 Wabash.
Waterloo
Elkhart station
Lafayette station
South Bend station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Bend and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 130.44 mi (209.92 km).
#1 South Bend
The most populous city in St.
| Population | 101,868 |
| Coordinates | 41.6833800, -86.2500100 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Franklin
City in Johnson County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 1,228 |
| Coordinates | 39.9739400, -85.1910800 |
| Altitude | 335 |
| Country | United States |
End: Franklin (-85.19108, 39.97394)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.