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

The driving distance from South Bend, IN to Union, IN is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 231 miles (371.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 32m 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
281.82 mi
05h 46m
Flight
230.99 mi
371.75 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
230.99 mi
Kilometers
371.75 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
281.82 mi
Kilometers
453.54 km
Drive Time
05h 46m

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 05h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 9:56 AM EDT
Return by in South Bend
Thu, Apr 23, 3:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Bend
2026-04-23T04:10
Arrive Union
Thu, Apr 23, 9:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:46 AM to 1:46 PM EDT

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

Leave by
5:28 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
Speedway
IN

Town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana

From South Bend
141 mi
02h 53m
To Union
140.9 mi
02h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    13 mi · 18 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 465, US 31 South

    1 km · 55 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 465 West

    3177 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 6 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on I 465 South

    19.6 mi · 23 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South: Evansville

    1.3 km · 2 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    47.5 mi · 53 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on I 69 South: Evansville

    68.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 56, SR 61: Petersburg, Jasper

    1893 ft · 38 sec

  26. 26

    Turn right

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    2704 ft · 1 min · East Main Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto West Pike Avenue

    6.6 mi · 12 min · West Pike Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue straight

    3 mi · 5 min

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 69 South
116 mi · 41%
South Michigan Street
114 mi · 40%
I 465 South
19.6 mi · 7%
West Pike Avenue
9.62 mi · 3%
I 465 West
5.41 mi · 2%
North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
0.65 mi
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
05h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.8 mi
231 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Speedway
02h 53m from South Bend
Leave By
5:28 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving South Bend and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km) and usually takes 05h 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?

Speedway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141 miles from South Bend and 140.9 miles from Union.

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

The direct path is about 231 miles (371.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.8 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 5:28 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.48 one way or $74.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Bend and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Stop Ideas Near Speedway

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Speedway and the surrounding midpoint area.
Avon Town Hall Park
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

Avon Town Hall Park

Avon , IN
6570 E US Hwy 36, Avon, IN 46123, United States
Rating 4.7/5 886 reviews Tourist attraction,City park
Carmel City Hall
Meeting point 11.5 mi away

Carmel City Hall

Carmel , IN
Carmel City Hall (second floor One, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032
Rating 3.1/5 18 reviews Government office,City courthouse
Carmel Gazebo
Nearby stop 11.6 mi away

Carmel Gazebo

Carmel , IN
3 Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032
Rating 4.5/5 47 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Speedway.

RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

10 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Crawfordsville

60 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

62 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Lafayette station

87 mi away
200 North 2nd St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Bend and Union. Straight-line distance: 230.99 mi (371.75 km).

South Bend

#1 South Bend

The most populous city in St.

Population101,868
Coordinates41.6833800, -86.2500100
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Union

#2 Union

City in Indiana, United States of America

Population2,160
Coordinates38.4653300, -87.4347400
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Start: South Bend (-86.25001, 41.68338)
End: Union (-87.43474, 38.46533)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 454 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.94 gal
37.64 L · about $37.48
Round trip
$74.97
19.88 gal · 75.28 L
Estimated CO2
88.3 kg one way
Round trip: 176.7 kg / 390 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.48 $74.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.27 $84.55
Premium $4.65 $46.26 $92.52
Diesel $5.30 $52.72 $105.44

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between South Bend and Union. The current time is 04:10:46.

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.