South Bend to Chicago drive: Best stops, distance & time
The best road trip stops on the South Bend to Chicago drive are Michigan City, Indiana Dunes National Park and the Pullman National Historic Park. By car, the distance from South Bend to Chicago is 96 miles, with a 1h32m driving time.
Planning a South Bend to Chicago road trip
The drive from South Bend to Chicago takes you from the home of Notre Dame University in Indiana to perhaps the greatest American city of them all.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
South Bend is one of those towns that’s just fun to hang out in. It’s a university city, and the student life gives it the bulk of its energy. Notre Dame University tours take in the campus and key buildings such as the hugely impressive Basilica of Notre Dame.
For car-lovers, however, the key attraction in South Bend is the Studebaker National Museum. Studebaker Cars were made here until 1963. The museum tells their story and has plenty of classics on display.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum. Or the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower. Or the Chicago Architecture Center.
South Bend to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from South Bend to Chicago is 96 miles. This makes for a driving time of around one hour and 32 minutes. The quickest route is usually along the I-90, but there’s barely anything in it if you take the I-94.
The best stops to add to a South Bend to Chicago road trip itinerary are Michigan City, Indiana Dunes National Park and the Pullman National Historic Park.
South Bend to Chicago drive: Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City in Indiana lies on the shore of Lake Michigan. If you want some beach time, Washington Park Beach will do the trick.
You can also see the fauna at the Washington Park Zoo, or the flora at the Friendship Botanic Gardens.
But the most distinctive attraction in Michigan City is the Old Lighthouse Museum, which covers Lake Michigan’s shipwrecks and maritime heritage.
Attractions between South Bend and Chicago: Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park stretches for 15 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. While it is primarily adored for its beaches, the mixture of ecosystems is fascinating for those who want to do more than just lie on the sand.
The dunes take the attention, but the hiking trails take in woodland too, and are surrounded by wildflowers in spring. Come in winter, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available.
Fishing for steelhead in the Little Calumet River is also immensely popular, while the birdwatching amongst the quiet dunes is highly productive.
South Bend to Chicago road trip stops: Pullman National Historic Park
The Pullman National Historic Park on Chicago’s South Side contains the site of the former Pullman Palace Car Works shops. But it’s about the people who worked on the trains, rather than the trains themselves.
The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum looks at the African Americans who worked on the trains and moved north to Chicago, bringing jazz and blues with them.
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