How far is Merrillville, IN from Fort Wayne, IN?
The driving distance from Merrillville, IN to Fort Wayne, IN is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.9 miles (188.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m 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 02h 21m.
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.
Sunny
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrillville and Fort Wayne.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville and Fort Wayne.
-
1
Start on Indian Trail
1156 ft · 56 sec · Indian Trail
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
-
3
Turn left onto East 81st Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · East 81st Avenue
-
4
Continue on US Route 30
6.6 mi · 9 min · US Route 30
-
5
Continue on West Morthland Drive
105.6 mi · 2 hr 19 min · West Morthland Drive
-
6
Take the exit straight toward I 69 North
3 mi · 4 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Coldwater Road South
1195 ft · 37 sec
-
8
Turn right onto Coldwater Road
960 ft · 18 sec · Coldwater Road
-
9
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
1842 ft · 41 sec · East Washington Center Road
-
10
Turn right onto Dartmouth Drive
868 ft · 38 sec · Dartmouth Drive
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dartmouth Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrillville and Fort Wayne.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Merrillville and Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog near Fort Wayne.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrillville to Fort Wayne?
The road trip is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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 61.5 miles from Merrillville and 61.6 miles from Fort Wayne.
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 6.2 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 1:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.37 one way or $32.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Merrillville and Fort Wayne, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Merrillville and Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog near Fort Wayne.
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 Merrillville and Fort Wayne. Straight-line distance: 116.95 mi (188.21 km).
#1 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Dartmouth Drive (-85.129351, 41.130584)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 198 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.37 | $32.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.46 | $36.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
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.