Car Rental - South Bend

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Rent a car in South Bend, Indiana, and you’re ideally located for the University of Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish. South Bend is more than just a football town, however, with its speedway track, performing arts center and lively dining scene.

Our conveniently located branch/branches put you right in the heart of the action, meaning you can pick up your car and get where you want to be as soon as possible. You’ll find a diverse and versatile range of vehicles, from compact to family-sized, giving you the freedom to choose the right rental car for your trip to South Bend.

South Bend has great transport links to Chicago in the west, Detroit to the east and Indianapolis to the south, while you’re only a short drive away from the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Book South Bend car rental to see the very best of the city, the state and the lakes beyond.

South Bend Locations

A Quick Guide to South Bend

south bend national museum

Studebaker National Museum

201 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN, 46601

It may be gone, but the classic car marque Studebaker is not forgotten. The renowned manufacturer had its base in South Bend, and this fine museum celebrates some of their more celebrated cars, such as the 1950s Packard. There’s more to it than that, however, with a rare collection of presidential carriages and visiting exhibitions. You can park your South Bend rental car on Thomas Street, outside The History Museum next door.

south bend University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN, 46556

The famous university is one of South Bend’s biggest attractions, but it’s not just for students and their families. Their renowned athletic program means there are superb sports on offer all year round, with football the most prominent – the team has provided numerous Heisman Trophy winners and NFL legends. Make time too for the neo-gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart from 1870. Park your South Bend rental car in one of the designated lots and use ParkMobile to pay for your parking directly from your phone.

south bend Morris Performing Arts Center

Morris Performing Arts Center

211 North Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, 46601

This storied building – it was a vaudeville house in 1922 and has a place on the National Register of Historic Places – is now home to a symphony orchestra and is the local stop-off point for touring Broadway shows. Event parking for your business car rental is available close by, both on the street and the public garage on Main and Colfax.

Courtyard by Marriott South Bend Downtown

121 South Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN, 46601

Close to St. Joseph River and convenient for most of the major transport routes, the Courtyard is the ideal business hotel. Rooms have city views, desks, mini-fridges and coffee makers, plus there’s a fitness center and indoor swimming pool. Choose on-site self-parking or valet parking for your South Bend rental car, or find parking close by at Wayne Street Garage or Leighton Garage.

Aloft South Bend

111 North Main Street, South Bend, IN, 46601

The Aloft is a short walk from the river and smack in the heart of South Bend’s liveliest area. From here you’re ideally located for restaurants, museums and galleries, with the Morris Performing Arts Center close by. Rooms are modern and clean, the funky lobby makes a great meeting spot. You can park your holiday rental car on-site for a daily fee, or at the nearby Colfax Garage.

Morris Inn

1399 North Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN, 46617

Sat on the University of Notre Dame campus, the Morris Inn is famed for its service and hospitality and is ideal for anyone visiting this seat of learning. It boasts excellent conference facilities, family and pet-friendly rooms and, in Rohr’s, a restaurant that ticks all the boxes from child-friendly brunch to filet mignon and heritage pork chop. Park your South Bend rental car for free when dining at Rohr’s, or overnight for a small fee.

Rocco’s

537 North Saint Louis Boulevard, South Bend, IN, 46617

A South Bend fixture since 1951, Rocco’s is a justifiably popular red sauce joint that is a huge hit with the locals. The interior is a welcome throwback, while pizza bases, pastas and sauces are all made fresh in the kitchen daily.

The Carriage House

24460 Adams Road, South Bend, IN, 46628

The Carriage House is big on atmosphere, situated in an old church amidst beautiful gardens. It’s a great place for al fresco dining, where you can enjoy market fish or the signature beef wellington under the sun. Artisan wood-fired pizzas are also exceptional, with toppings from the traditional through to contemporary takes such as prosciutto with fig marmalade and goat’s cheese cream.

LaSalle Grill

115 West Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN, 46601

A downtown classic for a couple of decades, LaSalle’s is the place for a romantic meal, with soft lighting and a renowned wine list. New American classics grab influence from France, Italy and beyond for dishes such as beef carpaccio, baked brie en croute and poached, chilled black tiger shrimp.

Driving In and Around South Bend

  • Main & Colfax Garage (46601) is close to the river and a short stroll from numerous attractions including the Studebaker National Museum. It has about 350 spaces.
  • Leighton Garage (46601) has around 450 spaces and is ideally situated to park your holiday car rental and visit the South Bend Museum of Art, Century Center and numerous restaurants.
  • Most streets in downtown South Bend have two hours of free parking between 6AM and 5PM. This also applies to numerous lots.
  • Interstate 90 (I-90) runs west to east across the northern edge of South Bend. I-90 is a toll road also known as the Indiana Toll Road and runs west to Chicago and east to Toledo, concurrent with I-80.
  • US Route 20 (US 20) runs largely parallel to I-90 but is toll-free. It skirts around the west and southern edges of South Bend.
  • US Route 31 (US 31) enters the city from the south, having made its way from Alabama. It continues north through the heart of the city and runs alongside the western edge of the University of Notre Dame campus.

How to Get From South Bend to Chicago

There are several simple routes west from South Bend to Chicago,

  1. Take your South Bend rental car on I-90 Indiana Toll Road. It will take about two hours.
  2. Alternatively, US 20 runs all the way to Chicago, and is toll-free.
  3. Thirdly, join US 20 going west from South Bend, then merge onto I-94 for the rest of the journey.

 

How to Get From South Bend to Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a popular city east of Lake Michigan, known for its fabulous art and food scenes. Head north on US 31, then follow I-196N. It will take around two hours when you rent a car from South Bend.