How far is Merrillville, IN from Elkhart, IN?
The driving distance from Merrillville, IN to Elkhart, IN is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 71.4 miles (114.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 01h 48m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrillville and Elkhart.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville and Elkhart.
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1
Start on Indian Trail
1156 ft · 53 sec · Indian Trail
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broadway
1.6 mi · 4 min · Broadway
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3
Turn right onto East 61st Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East 61st Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 65 North: Chicago
1672 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
1.4 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
1559 ft · 27 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
2.6 mi · 4 min · Borman Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 90
1.4 km · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East, I 90 East: Ohio, Indiana Toll Road East
1438 ft · 49 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
70.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Indiana Toll Road
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 19: Elkhart
1.2 km · 2 min
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13
Continue straight
568 ft · 21 sec
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14
Turn left onto Cassopolis Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cassopolis Street
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15
Turn right onto East Bristol Street
1269 ft · 29 sec · East Bristol Street
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16
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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17
Turn right onto West Franklin Street
1453 ft · 38 sec · West Franklin Street
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18
Turn left onto Pletcher Court
89 m · 17 sec · Pletcher Court
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pletcher Court
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrillville and Elkhart.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Indiana Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
70.6 mi · 01h 17m
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 Sunny leaving Merrillville and Sunny near Elkhart.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrillville to Elkhart?
The road trip is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?
Smith is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.7 miles from Merrillville and 43.9 miles from Elkhart.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 71.4 miles (114.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.65 one way or $23.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Merrillville and Elkhart, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Merrillville and Sunny near Elkhart.
Stop Ideas Near Smith
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 Smith.
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo
Michigan City
South Bend station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merrillville and Elkhart. Straight-line distance: 71.43 mi (114.95 km).
#1 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elkhart
The most populous city in Elkhart County, Indiana.
| Population | 52,172 |
| Coordinates | 41.6819900, -85.9766700 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elkhart (-85.97667, 41.68199)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.65 | $23.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.14 | $26.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.38 | $28.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.