How far is West Lafayette, IN from Merrillville, IN?
The driving distance from West Lafayette, IN to Merrillville, IN is about 82.3 miles (132.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 35m.
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 Indiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Lafayette and Merrillville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Lafayette and Merrillville.
-
1
Start on Northwestern Avenue
13 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Vine Street
84 m · 16 sec · Vine Street
-
3
Turn right onto Wiggins Street
541 ft · 17 sec · Wiggins Street
-
4
Turn slight right
1155 ft · 37 sec
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North River Road
5 mi · 8 min · North River Road
-
6
Continue on N River Road
2146 ft · 43 sec · N River Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight right
1644 ft · 40 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
74 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Merrillville, Hobart, Valparaiso
1618 ft · 40 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 30: Merrillville, Hobart, Valparaiso, VA Clinic
138 m · 15 sec
-
11
Turn left onto US 30: Merrillville, Hobart, Valparaiso
33 m · 4 sec
-
12
Turn left onto East 81st Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · East 81st Avenue
-
13
Turn right onto Broadway
1.4 km · 2 min · Broadway
-
14
Turn right onto Indian Trail
1156 ft · 51 sec · Indian Trail
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Indian Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Lafayette and Merrillville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
N River Road
Merge slight left
74 mi · 01h 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.
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving West Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Merrillville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Lafayette to Merrillville?
The road trip is about 82.3 miles (132.5 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?
Rensselaer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.2 miles from West Lafayette and 41.1 miles from Merrillville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.97 one way or $21.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between West Lafayette and Merrillville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around West Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Merrillville.
Stop Ideas Near Rensselaer
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 Rensselaer.
Rensselaer
Lafayette station
Kankakee
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Lafayette and Merrillville. Straight-line distance: 76.32 mi (122.82 km).
#1 West Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 51,605 |
| Coordinates | 40.4258700, -86.9080700 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merrillville
Town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
| Population | 34,916 |
| Coordinates | 41.4828100, -87.3328100 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merrillville (-87.33281, 41.48281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 132 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.97 | $21.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.38 | $24.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.54 | $27.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.