Embarking on a 143.4-mile journey from Baltimore, OH, to Lorain, OH, this drive will take approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes. It's a manageable trip, perfectly suited for a single day, with an estimated fuel cost of $22. The route predominantly utilizes I-71, with portions on Cassell Road and Avon Lake Road, offering a mixed driving experience. As you travel within the Midwest region, this drive provides a straightforward connection between these two Ohio locations. You'll find it's a practical option for a quick getaway or a functional transit.
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
71.7 miles from Baltimore, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
34.9 mi
37m
Cassell Road
16 mi
18m
Avon Lake Road
13.3 mi
15m
Mount Vernon Road
12.5 mi
17m
Newark Road
10.1 mi
15m
SR 79
8 mi
9m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Lancaster-Newark Road Northeast
6.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 34.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baltimore, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on SR 256
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Market Street
2
Continue on SR 256
1.3 mi·1 min·Baltimore-Somerset Road
3
Turn left onto SR 37
6.3 mi·7 min·Lancaster-Newark Road Northeast
4
Continue on SR 37
2.2 mi·2 min·Lancaster Road Southwest
5
Turn right onto US 40
1.1 mi·1 min·National Road Southeast
6
Continue on US 40
1.1 mi·1 min·West Main Street
7
Turn left onto North High Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North High Street
8
Turn right onto Enterprise Drive
0.2 mi·18 sec·Enterprise Drive
9
Turn left onto SR 79
7.4 mi·8 min·SR 79
10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 79
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 79
Toward Coshocton, 16 E, 79 N
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward SR 13: Hudson Ave, 4th Street
12
Turn left onto SR 13
12 mi·17 min·Mount Vernon Road
13
Continue on SR 13
1.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
14
Continue on SR 13
10 mi·15 min·Newark Road
15
Continue on SR 13
0.3 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
16
Turn right onto SR 13
0.4 mi·42 sec·SR 13
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto SR 13
0.3 mi·53 sec·East Chestnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto SR 13
1.4 mi·1 min·North Sandusky Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on SR 13
16 mi·18 min·Cassell Road
20
Continue on SR 13; SR 97
5.3 mi·7 min·Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 169Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 71
35 mi·37 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 204Toward SR 83: Lodi, WoosterUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi·3 min·Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
26
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
27
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
28
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
29
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
30
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
31
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
32
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
33
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
34
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
35
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
36
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
41
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
42
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
43
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
44
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
45
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your trip from Baltimore, OH, in the morning is ideal, allowing ample time to reach Lorain, OH, without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The estimated fuel cost of $22 makes budgeting straightforward. Pay attention to transitions between the main highway, I-71, and the local roads such as Cassell Road and Avon Lake Road, as these can subtly alter your driving pace. This relatively short drive allows for spontaneity, so don't hesitate to adjust your schedule as needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.7 miles from Baltimore, OH, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.9 miles.
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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lorain, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baltimore, OH 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 Baltimore, OH
This is one driving day of about 143.4 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Baltimore, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 34.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 103.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.6 mi into trip|~26m in|SR 79
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 79 toward Coshocton, 16 E, 79 N
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Coshocton, 16 E, 79 N
6
45.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|SR 13 / East Chestnut Street
Turn left onto SR 13 / East Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
46 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|SR 13 / North Sandusky Street
Turn right onto SR 13 / North Sandusky Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Turn left toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 169
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
103.8 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 204
Toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.26 one way
$44.51 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$24.70
$49.40
premium
$4.91
$27.71
$55.43
diesel
$5.61
$31.66
$63.32
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: 50.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43
0
$15.06
$6.88
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.55
$5.74
EV Truck/SUV
57.4
0
$20.08
$9.18
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Baltimore, OH
Morning
in Baltimore on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lorain, OH
Morning
in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 6 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 10:31PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:54AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
64°F
Mansfield, OH
72 mi in
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 118.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed character, with 35% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience stretches of efficient travel on I-71, including one significant segment of 34.9 miles without interruption. The route transitions between these faster-paced highway sections and more local road segments like Cassell Road and Avon Lake Road, offering a varied driving rhythm. Expect a drive that balances directness with moments of more local road engagement as you progress toward Lorain.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in near SR 79.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.4 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.6 miles (SR 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (SR 13 / East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (SR 13 / North Sandusky Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Baltimore, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Coshocton and Wooster.
Coshocton
20.6 mi in|~26m|via SR 79
Wooster
103.8 mi in|~2h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 143.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lorain, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.6 miles (SR 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.7 miles (SR 13 / East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (SR 13 / North Sandusky Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lorain, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
