This 264.9-mile drive from Burlington to Lorain, Ohio, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 21 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or transit. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, this route is budget-friendly for a road trip. You'll be spending a significant portion of your time on interstates, giving you a consistent driving experience across the Midwest region of Ohio. Consider this a practical, no-fuss option when you need to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.4 miles from Burlington, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
96.4 mi
1h 45m
US 23
68 mi
1h 29m
US 52
32.6 mi
35m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.4 mi
17m
Avon Lake Road
13.3 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 96.4 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on TR 1034
122 ft·6 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·2nd Street
3
Continue on Madison Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Madison Street
4
Turn left onto CR 120 S
0.3 mi·41 sec·County Road 120 South
5
Turn left onto US 52
33 mi·35 min·US 52
6
Take the exit onto SR 823
16 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward SR 823 North: Chillicothe
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 16Toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
8
Merge onto US 23
34 mi·45 min·US 23
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
34 mi·44 min·US 23
Toward US 23 North: ColumbusUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 23
2.6 mi·3 min·South High Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 270: Columbus, Wheeling
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 55Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 71
3.6 mi·4 min·South Freeway
17
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 204Toward SR 83: Lodi, WoosterUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi·3 min·Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
24
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
25
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
27
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
28
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
29
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
30
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
31
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
32
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
33
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
34
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
39
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
40
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
41
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
42
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 21-minute estimated duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of your drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. With only one stop suggested, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with the longest stretch on I-71 to ensure you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the 96.4-mile segment on I-71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on major highways.
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 132.4 miles from Burlington, OH, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, OH
This is one driving day of about 264.9 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Burlington, 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 96.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 83.7 and 225.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
7
121 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 West
8
123 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
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 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
129.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
$41.11 one way
$82.22 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$45.63
$91.25
premium
$4.91
$51.20
$102.39
diesel
$5.61
$58.49
$116.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.81
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Burlington, OH
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lorain, OH
Night
in Lorain on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph76% chanceLive forecast
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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 237.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 79% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. You'll spend a good amount of time on I-71, including one stretch that lasts for 96.4 miles without interruption. While the majority of your journey will be on these main arteries like I-71, US 23, and US 52, the profile suggests a consistent pace suitable for covering distance. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct path designed for efficient travel.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.4 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 83.7 miles in near US 23.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 264.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 83.7 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burlington, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling, Columbus and Wooster.
Wheeling
120.8 mi in|~2h 30m
Columbus
123 mi in|~2h 33m
Wooster
225.3 mi in|~4h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.4 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 83.7 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lorain, OH before the return drive.
