Major city · United States
Merrillville
Skip unless you need a hotel near I-65 or a shopping stop. Half a day for Southlake Mall and a meal; no overnight needed.
Merrillville is a retail and highway hub in Lake County, Indiana, 45 min southeast of Chicago. The main draw is Southlake Mall and the US 30 corridor of big-box stores and chain restaurants. Most travellers pass through on I-65 without stopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (snow and cold)
- Airports
- GYY · ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Merrillville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Merrillville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMerrillville is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGYY Gary/Chicago International Airport (check).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a chain café$2–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner (per person)$15–30
- Budget bedBudget hotel room (e.g. Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room (e.g. Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedBudget hotel room (e.g. Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$100
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GYY Gary/Chicago International Airport (check) · ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (about 1 h 15 min drive) · MDW Chicago Midway International Airport (about 50 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Merrillville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. GPTC bus Route 17 runs along Broadway (SR 53) and US 30, but service is limited. Taxi and rideshare available.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
I-65 north, about 15 min
Gary has the Indiana Dunes National Park access and the South Shore Line to Chicago, but the city itself has limited tourist infrastructure.
Door to door: About 15 min
I-65 north to US 30 east, about 10 min
Lake George and the historic downtown are a short drive.
Crown Point, Indiana
goDoor to door: About 20 min
I-65 south to US 231, about 15 min
The historic square and courthouse are worth a walk.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-65 north to I-80/94 west, about 45 min
Full day; use the South Shore Line from Gary to avoid traffic.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US 30 corridor
Most hotels are here, near I-65 exit 255; walkable to chain restaurants and Southlake Mall.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room (e.g. Spark by Hilton)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Gas for a day of local driving1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| GPTC bus day pass2 × US$4 · check | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$35 |
| Trip total≈ US$194 per person per day, bed included | US$388 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a chain café | $2–5 |
| Fast-food meal | $8–12 |
| Sit-down dinner (per person) | $15–30 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 |
| Taxi from Gary airport to Merrillvillecheck | $30–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- US 30 is congested during peak shopping hours; use side streets like 73rd Avenue.
- No direct public transit from Chicago or Amtrak; you need a car or a bus to Gary then a transfer.
- Winter storms can close I-65; check weather before driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MerrillvilleMerrillville
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Barons Bus Chicago → Merrillville: about $20–30, check schedule
- Taxi from Gary airport to Merrillville: $30–50
Say or show
- Where is Southlake Mall? — Where is Southlake Mall?
- How far to I-65? — How far to I-65?
English is the primary language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Merrillville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (snow and cold) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Southlake Mall and the US 30 corridor with store hours and restaurant menus.
- Transit page with GPTC schedules and Barons Bus stops.
- Winter driving conditions page for I-65.
Sources
Ask about Merrillville
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