How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Merrillville, IN?
The driving distance from Fort Wayne, IN to Merrillville, IN is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.9 miles (188.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Marshall County, Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Wayne and Merrillville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Wayne and Merrillville.
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1
Start on Dartmouth Drive
868 ft · 45 sec · Dartmouth Drive
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2
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Washington Center Road
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3
Turn left onto Lima Road
115 m · 15 sec · Lima Road
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
1482 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 33 North: Goshen Road
117.3 mi · 2 hr 36 min
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7
Continue on East 81st Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · East 81st Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
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9
Turn right onto Indian Trail
1156 ft · 51 sec · Indian Trail
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Indian Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Wayne and Merrillville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 30 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 33 North: Goshen Road
117 mi · 02h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog leaving Fort Wayne and Sunny near Merrillville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Wayne to Merrillville?
The road trip is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km) and usually takes 02h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.2 miles from Fort Wayne and 61.5 miles from Merrillville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.9 miles (188.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.33 one way or $32.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Fort Wayne and Merrillville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog around Fort Wayne and Sunny near Merrillville.
Stop Ideas Near Plymouth
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 Plymouth.
South Bend station
Elkhart station
Niles station
New Buffalo, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Wayne and Merrillville. Straight-line distance: 116.95 mi (188.21 km).
#1 Fort Wayne
The second most populous city in Indiana and the center of the Fort Wayne metropolitan area.
| Population | 272,398 |
| Coordinates | 41.1306000, -85.1288600 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| 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: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.