Merrillville to Ottawa, Illinois: Road Trip Guide & Distance

78.8 miles 126.8 km · straight line
98.5 miles estimated 158.5 km · driving distance
1h 59min estimated drive time
$9 - $12 estimated fuel cost
~40min flight time · usually no direct flights
264° W bearing direction

How far is Merrillville from Ottawa, Illinois?

The distance from Merrillville to Ottawa, Illinois is 78.8 miles (126.8 km) as the crow flies. Ottawa, Illinois is located W of Merrillville. By car, the driving distance is approximately 98.5 miles, taking about 1h 59min. A direct flight would take roughly 40min. Both are located in United States — Merrillville in Indiana and Ottawa, Illinois in Illinois.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Merrillville and Ottawa, Illinois. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Merrillville to Ottawa, Illinois

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 1h 59min $9 - $12 Flexible stops
Bus ~2h 23min $8–$15* Budget
Train ~1h 53min $12–$34* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Merrillville & Ottawa, Illinois

Quick Facts

Merrillville
41.48°N, 87.33°W
America/Chicago
200m elevation
Ottawa, Illinois
41.35°N, 88.84°W
America/Chicago
147m elevation
Explore more routes from Ottawa, Illinois

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 26 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 7 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 316 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients