Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country
Lake Michigan dunes an hour from Chicago, then Notre Dame and the buggies of Shipshewana.
- Distance
- 219 km (136 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 26 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 7
- States
- IL, IN
- Updated
- April 25, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 219 km (136 mi) with 7 stops, from Chicago to Shipshewana. About 2 h 26 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Illinois, Indiana
Route description
Leave Chicago on I-90 or the Chicago Skyway (toll) and follow US-12, the old Dunes Highway, to Indiana Dunes National Park. At West Beach the Dune Succession Trail climbs stairs over sand hills, with the Chicago skyline visible across the lake.
Indiana Dunes State Park, surrounded by the national park, has the Three Dune Challenge, a steep climb over three of the highest dunes, and a large beach. Mount Baldy, a moving dune near Michigan City, can be climbed only with a ranger, but its beach trail is open.
Michigan City has a lighthouse museum and pier. From there, US-20 or the Indiana Toll Road leads east to South Bend and the University of Notre Dame, whose Basilica and Grotto are open to visitors.
Continue east to Shipshewana and Middlebury, the heart of an Amish community with a big flea market in summer and quilt shops. Beaches get very busy on summer weekends, so arrive early or visit in June or September.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Chicago
IL - 254 km
West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park
NaturePortage, INA guarded Lake Michigan beach with the Dune Succession Trail climbing stairs over dunes; the Chicago skyline is visible across the lake.
- 315 km
Indiana Dunes State Park
NatureChesterton, INHome of the Three Dune Challenge, a steep climb over three of the highest dunes, and a busy beach pavilion. Parking fills on summer weekends.
- 415 km
Mount Baldy
NatureMichigan City, INA wandering sand dune that moves inland each year; access to the top is by ranger-guided hike, but the beach trail is open.
- 54 km
Michigan City
IN - 665 km
University of Notre Dame
HistorySouth Bend, INA campus of lakes and golden dome, with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Grotto, open to visitors.
- 766 km
Shipshewana
IN
FAQs
How long is Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country?
2-day road trip of about 219 km (136 mi) with 7 stops, from Chicago to Shipshewana. About 2 h 26 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country?
We suggest 2 days: about 2 h 26 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country start and end?
It starts in Chicago and ends in Shipshewana.
Which states does Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country pass through?
Illinois and Indiana.
