How far is Decatur, IN from Merrillville, IN?
The driving distance from Decatur, IN to Merrillville, IN is about 146 miles (234.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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 13m.
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.
Town in Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Merrillville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Merrillville.
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1
Start on West Monroe Street
2422 ft · 46 sec · West Monroe Street
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2
Turn right onto North 13th Street
15.9 mi · 18 min · North 13th Street
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3
Continue on Lafayette Street
4.7 mi · 6 min · Lafayette Street
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Lafayette Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Lafayette Street
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5
Continue on Spy Run Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Spy Run Avenue
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6
Continue on North Clinton Street
2084 ft · 28 sec · North Clinton Street
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7
Turn straight onto Lima Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Lima Road
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8
Turn left onto West Coliseum Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Coliseum Boulevard
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9
Take the exit slight right toward SR 930 West
863 ft · 24 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Goshen Road
1625 ft · 21 sec · Goshen Road
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11
Continue straight
12.7 mi · 16 min
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12
Continue straight
104.6 mi · 2 hr 20 min
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13
Continue on East 81st Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · East 81st Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
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15
Turn right onto Indian Trail
1156 ft · 51 sec · Indian Trail
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Indian Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Merrillville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Goshen Road
Continue straight
105 mi · 02h 20m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms near Merrillville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Merrillville?
The road trip is about 146 miles (234.9 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Etna Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.8 miles from Decatur and 73.1 miles from Merrillville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 10:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.89 one way or $39.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Decatur and Merrillville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Decatur and Showers And Thunderstorms near Merrillville.
Stop Ideas Near Etna Green
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 Etna Green.
Elkhart station
South Bend station
Niles station
Dowagiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Merrillville. Straight-line distance: 132.91 mi (213.9 km).
#1 Decatur
City in Indiana, United States
| Population | 34,821 |
| Coordinates | 40.8306000, -84.9291300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merrillville (-87.33281, 41.48281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $19.89 | $39.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $22.94 | $45.89 |
| Premium | $4.99 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $6.62 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026