How far is Merrillville, IN from South Bend, IN?
The driving distance from Merrillville, IN to South Bend, IN is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 57.7 miles (92.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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 16m.
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.
Human settlement in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States of America
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 South Bend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville and South Bend.
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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
55.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Indiana Toll Road
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 933, BUS US 31: South Bend, Notre Dame
1.2 mi · 3 min
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13
Turn right onto North Michigan Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Michigan Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Michigan Street
47 m · 9 sec · North Michigan Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto North Michigan Street
718 ft · 28 sec · North Michigan Street
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16
Turn left onto East Navarre Street
40 m · 5 sec · East Navarre Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Navarre Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merrillville and South Bend.
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
55.3 mi · 01h 01m
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 Sunny near South Bend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merrillville to South Bend?
The road trip is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
LaPorte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.2 miles from Merrillville and 35.5 miles from South Bend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 57.7 miles (92.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.43 one way or $18.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Merrillville and South Bend, 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 Sunny near South Bend.
Stop Ideas Near LaPorte
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 LaPorte.
Michigan City
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo
South Bend station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merrillville and South Bend. Straight-line distance: 57.65 mi (92.78 km).
#1 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Bend
The most populous city in St.
| Population | 101,868 |
| Coordinates | 41.6833800, -86.2500100 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Navarre Street (-86.250008, 41.683158)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 114 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.43 | $18.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.63 | $21.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.64 | $23.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.26 | $26.52 |
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.