How far is Merlin, OR from Bend, OR?
The driving distance from Merlin, OR to Bend, OR is about 198.2 miles (318.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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 40m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merlin and Bend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merlin and Bend.
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1
Start on Merlin Avenue
760 ft · 37 sec · Merlin Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Merlin Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Merlin Road
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3
Turn right onto Monument Drive
1458 ft · 29 sec · Monument Drive
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4
Take the ramp straight
805 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left
17 mi · 20 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward OR 99, OR 234: Gold Hill, Crater Lake
1238 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn left onto Main Street
1031 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto Sams Valley Highway
1 mi · 1 min · Sams Valley Highway
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9
Continue on 2nd Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Dardanelles Street
119 m · 15 sec · Dardanelles Street
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11
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1099 ft · 33 sec · 4th Avenue
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12
Continue on Sams Valley Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Sams Valley Highway
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13
Continue on State Highway 234
10.7 mi · 15 min · State Highway 234
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14
Turn left onto Crater Lake Highway
41.4 mi · 59 min · Crater Lake Highway
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15
Turn straight onto Diamond Lake Highway
23.8 mi · 35 min · Diamond Lake Highway
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Umpqua Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · North Umpqua Highway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Umpqua Highway
66 m · 4 sec · North Umpqua Highway
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18
Continue on East Diamond Lake Highway
8.4 mi · 12 min · East Diamond Lake Highway
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19
Continue on State Highway 138
6.3 mi · 9 min · State Highway 138
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20
Turn left onto The Dalles-California Highway
71.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · The Dalles-California Highway
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21
Continue on Bend Parkway
3 mi · 5 min · Bend Parkway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown Bend, Mount Bachelor
961 ft · 21 sec
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23
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southeast Scott Street
73 m · 6 sec · Southeast Scott Street
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24
Continue on Northwest Colorado Avenue
1224 ft · 34 sec · Northwest Colorado Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Northwest Sisemore Street
1462 ft · 55 sec · Northwest Sisemore Street
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26
Turn left onto Northwest Franklin Avenue
1322 ft · 1 min · Northwest Franklin Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Franklin Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merlin and Bend.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
The Dalles-California Highway
Turn left onto The Dalles-California Highway
71.2 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Merlin and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Bend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merlin to Bend?
The road trip is about 198.2 miles (318.9 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Chiloquin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.4 miles from Merlin and 99.8 miles from Bend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.1 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.87 one way or $69.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Merlin and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Bend.
Stop Ideas Near Chiloquin
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 Chiloquin.
Klamath Falls, OR
Klamath Falls station
Crater Lake, OR
Chemult
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merlin and Bend. Straight-line distance: 150.11 mi (241.58 km).
#1 Merlin
Located in Josephine County at an elevation of 919 feet, this unincorporated community is situated north of the Rogue River in Southern Oregon.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.5173400, -123.4197900 |
| Altitude | 280 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bend
The most populous city in Deschutes County, Oregon.
| Population | 101,886 |
| Coordinates | 44.0581700, -121.3153100 |
| Altitude | 1106 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northwest Franklin Avenue (-121.315318, 44.058163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.99 | $34.87 | $69.73 |
| Mid-grade | $5.25 | $36.70 | $73.40 |
| Premium | $5.56 | $38.84 | $77.67 |
| Diesel | $6.75 | $47.15 | $94.30 |
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 Oregon · Oct 15, 2026