How far is Merrillville, IN from Decatur, IN?
The driving distance from Merrillville, IN to Decatur, IN is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.9 miles (213.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 00m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrillville and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville and Decatur.
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1
Start on Indian Trail
1156 ft · 56 sec · Indian Trail
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
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3
Turn left onto East 81st Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · East 81st Avenue
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4
Continue on US Route 30
6.6 mi · 9 min · US Route 30
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5
Continue on West Morthland Drive
105.6 mi · 2 hr 19 min · West Morthland Drive
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6
Continue straight
2056 ft · 31 sec
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7
Turn left onto West Coliseum Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2 min · West Coliseum Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Lima Road
1.1 mi · 1 min · Lima Road
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9
Continue on North Clinton Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · North Clinton Street
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10
Continue on N Clinton Street
3 mi · 4 min · N Clinton Street
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11
Merge slight left onto Lafayette Street
18.9 mi · 23 min · Lafayette Street
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12
Turn left onto West Monroe Street
2422 ft · 41 sec · West Monroe Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrillville and Decatur.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Morthland Drive
Continue on West Morthland Drive
106 mi · 02h 19m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Merrillville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrillville to Decatur?
The road trip is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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 Merrillville and 85.1 miles from Decatur.
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 25 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.51 one way or $43.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Merrillville and Decatur, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Merrillville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Decatur.
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 Merrillville and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 132.91 mi (213.9 km).
#1 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decatur
City in Indiana, United States
| Population | 34,821 |
| Coordinates | 40.8306000, -84.9291300 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Monroe Street (-84.929141, 40.83064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $24.81 | $49.63 |
| Premium | $4.99 | $27.78 | $55.57 |
| Diesel | $6.62 | $36.88 | $73.76 |
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