If you are planning a trip from Caldwell to Lorain, expect a straightforward journey covering 145.5 miles. You will spend about 2 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day drive that requires no overnight stops. Budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance across Ohio. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is consistent and familiar. This route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, providing a practical connection for those looking to reach the shores of Lake Erie from the southeastern part of the state.
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
72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
62.2 mi
1h 6m
US 250
28.1 mi
32m
Avon Lake Road
13.8 mi
16m
Burbank Road
10.3 mi
11m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
South Wooster Avenue
3.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 62.2 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on North Street
56 ft·9 sec·North Street
2
Continue on SR 821
0.2 mi·19 sec·West Street
3
Turn straight onto SR 821
0.6 mi·1 min·Marietta Road
4
Turn right onto SR 78
0.4 mi·40 sec·McConnelsville Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 77 North
6
Merge onto I 77
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 250
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 250
Exit 87Toward US 250: Strasburg, MassillonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 250
3.2 mi·3 min·South Wooster Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 250
22 mi·25 min·US 250
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 250
5.7 mi·6 min·US 250
11
Continue on SR 83
1.2 mi·1 min·Burbank Road
12
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
115 ft·1 sec·Burbank Road
13
Continue on SR 83
0.2 mi·11 sec·Burbank Road
14
Enter roundabout
122 ft·1 sec
15
Continue
251 ft·3 sec
16
Turn straight onto SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Burbank Road
17
Continue on SR 83
0.4 mi·30 sec·N Front Street
18
Continue on SR 83
2.6 mi·4 min·Avon Lake Road
19
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
20
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
21
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
22
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
23
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
24
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
25
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
26
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
27
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
28
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
29
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
30
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
35
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
36
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
37
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
38
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the total duration of under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, which will help keep you refreshed as you transition from the interstate to local roads. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $22, consider topping off your tank in Caldwell before heading north to avoid fluctuating prices along the way. Keep a close watch on your navigation as you move from the initial 62.2-mile stretch on I-77 onto US-250. Because the route is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon session without feeling rushed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.7 miles or 1h 20m 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 15m
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 Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, OH
This is one driving day of about 145.5 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Caldwell, 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 77 for about 62.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 123.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 77 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 77 North
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 77
Merge onto I 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 250
Take the exit onto US 250 toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
6
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
123.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|SR 57; SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.58 one way
$45.16 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.06
$50.12
premium
$4.91
$28.12
$56.24
diesel
$5.61
$32.12
$64.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 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
43.7
0
$15.28
$6.98
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.73
$5.82
EV Truck/SUV
58.2
0
$20.37
$9.31
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Caldwell, OH
Afternoon
in Caldwell on Sunday
Local time
4:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lorain, OH
Afternoon
in Lorain on Sunday
Local time
4:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 125.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused trip utilizes a combination of I-77, US-250, and Avon Lake Road to navigate through the state. With roughly 67% of your travel time spent on highways, you can maintain a steady pace for the majority of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, lasting for 62.2 miles on I-77. As you transition off the interstate and onto US-250 and Avon Lake Road, the driving experience shifts from high-speed transit to local road navigation. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.2 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and US 250. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 145.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (US 250): 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.
On the drive from Caldwell, OH to Lorain, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Massillon along the way.
Caldwell is in Noble County. Located along the West Fork of Duck Creek, Caldwell is the county seat of Noble County. The village is named for Joseph and Samuel Caldwell, its original landowners.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 145.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.2 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lorain, OH before heading back.
