Indiana Dunes National Park
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
140.2 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrillville, IN
Choco Kitty
Noblesville, IN
Wikimedia Commons
This 140.2-mile drive from Merrillville, IN to Noblesville, IN takes approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including stretches of Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and East Noble Street. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, this journey through the Midwest is budget-friendly. The route is characterized by its frequent turns, offering a more engaged driving experience than a straightforward interstate cruise. You can expect one planned stop along the way, allowing for a comfortable pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.1 miles from Merrillville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a highway share of two. While there's a significant uninterrupted stretch of 112 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, the overall character involves navigating local roads and more frequent directional changes. This isn't a monotonous highway slog; rather, it's a route that requires your attention as you transition between different road types. The drive will likely feel more engaging and less predictable than a typical interstate journey.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 53 / Broadway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto SR 53 / Broadway
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 32: Lebanon, Crawfordsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Merrillville, IN to Noblesville, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Crawfordsville along the way.
Crawfordsville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 112 mi | 2h |
| East Noble Street | 9.1 mi | 13m |
| Westfield Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| West 176th Street | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| West Base Line Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| SR 32 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| IN-32 | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville, IN and Noblesville, IN.
Start on Indian Trail
At end of road, turn left onto SR 53
Turn left onto US 30
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 32
Turn left onto SR 32
Enter roundabout onto SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Enter roundabout onto SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Continue on SR 32
Enter roundabout
Continue
Continue on SR 32
Enter roundabout onto Westfield Road
Continue on Westfield Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 32; SR 38
Continue on SR 32; SR 38
Continue on SR 32; SR 38
Arrive at destination
Given the 2 hour and 46 minute duration, departing Merrillville in the morning will allow you to reach Noblesville with ample time to spare. The longest stretch is 112 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, so plan your single recommended stop strategically before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time and stop duration based on how you feel on the road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Noblesville, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Merrillville, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Merrillville, IN
This is one driving day of about 140.2 miles and 2h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.1 mi from Merrillville, IN · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 70.1 miles from Merrillville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112 miles.
The final approach into Noblesville, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Noblesville, IN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$21.92 one way
$43.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.07 | $48.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.95 | $61.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.72 | $6.73 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.27 | $5.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.97 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Merrillville on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 1:19PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 10:47AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Evening in Noblesville on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 1:19PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 10:47AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Merrillville, IN or browse trips ending in Noblesville, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
Explore maps for Merrillville, IN or Noblesville, IN on MapSof.net.