How far is Merrillville, IN from Portage, IN?
The driving distance from Merrillville, IN to Portage, IN is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.3 miles (16.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Lake County, Indiana, U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merrillville and Portage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville and Portage.
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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 right to continue on Central Avenue
1760 ft · 38 sec
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8
Turn right onto Central Avenue
4.3 mi · 9 min · Central Avenue
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9
Continue on Central Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrillville and Portage.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Central Avenue
Turn right onto Central Avenue
4.27 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Merrillville and Sunny near Portage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrillville to Portage?
The road trip is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
New Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from Merrillville and 9.9 miles from Portage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.3 miles (16.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.26 one way or $4.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Merrillville and Sunny near Portage.
Stop Ideas Near New Chicago
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 New Chicago.
Gary, IN
Dyer station
Hammond–Whiting station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merrillville and Portage. Straight-line distance: 10.35 mi (16.65 km).
#1 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portage
The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.
| Population | 90,543 |
| Coordinates | 41.5758700, -87.1761500 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.26 | $4.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.55 | $5.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.79 | $5.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
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.