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Trip from Carrollton, OH to Lorain, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

105.5 mi

170 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Carrollton, OH, OH

Carrollton, OH

Derwin Edwards

Downtown Lorain, OH, OH

Lorain, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 105.5-mile journey from Carrollton, OH to Lorain, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, covering 67% on major roads like I-77 and the Ohio Turnpike. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's an economical option for exploring within Ohio. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region throughout this drive, making it a straightforward exploration of familiar territory. This drive is best suited for those looking for an efficient and direct path between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.8 miles from Carrollton, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 77 35 mi 43m
Ohio Turnpike 34.4 mi 36m
Canton Road Northwest 9.3 mi 13m
Waynesburg Drive Southeast 6.3 mi 9m
Zwallen Way 3.5 mi 5m
Alliance Road Northwest 3.5 mi 5m
East 28th Street 2.3 mi 3m
Lorain Boulevard 2.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 77 — 35 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, OH and Lorain, OH.

1

Start on this road

112 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto SR 9

171 ft · 5 sec · North Lisbon Street
3

Turn right onto SR 39; SR 43

0.4 mi · 41 sec · West Main Street
4

Turn right onto SR 43

9.3 mi · 13 min · Canton Road Northwest
5

At end of road, turn left onto SR 43; SR 183

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Alliance Road Northwest
6

Continue on SR 43; SR 183

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Canal Street
7

Continue on SR 43; SR 183

2.8 mi · 4 min · Alliance Road Northwest
8

Continue on SR 43; SR 183

1.2 mi · 1 min · Minerva Road Southeast
9

At end of road, turn right onto SR 43

4.2 mi · 6 min · Waynesburg Drive Southeast
10

Continue on SR 43

3.5 mi · 5 min · Zwallen Way
11

Continue on SR 43

2.1 mi · 3 min · Waynesburg Drive Southeast
12

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward US 30 West, SR 43 North: Massillon
13

Merge onto US 30; SR 43

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 30; SR 43
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 77, US 62 East: Marietta, Akron Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 77 North, US 62 East: Akron Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 77; US 62

35 mi · 43 min · I 77; US 62
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 14B Toward I 80, Ohio Turnpike: Toledo, Youngstown Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 80 West: Toledo Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 80

34 mi · 36 min · Ohio Turnpike
20

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 145 Toward SR 57: Lorain, Elyria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward SR 57 North: Lorain
22

Merge onto SR 57

2.1 mi · 3 min · Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on SR 57

1.5 mi · 2 min · Grove Avenue
24

Turn left onto SR 57

2.3 mi · 3 min · East 28th Street
25

Turn right onto SR 57

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Broadway
26

Turn left onto SR 611

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 21st Street
27

Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Hamilton Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

Hamilton Avenue

Trip Plan

Given its short duration of just over 2 hours, this 105.5-mile drive offers great flexibility. You can depart whenever it suits your schedule, whether that's early to maximize your day or later for a more relaxed start. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, budgeting is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 35-mile stretch on I-77, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. Since there are no mandated stops, you can choose to pull over for breaks as needed.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.8 miles from Carrollton, OH, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35 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 23 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.8 miles or 1h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 51m

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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, OH

This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Carrollton, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 77 for about 35 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Summit County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Green, OH

53 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Plain, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Carrollton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 26.5 and 97.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
26.5 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 77, US 62 East: Marietta, Akron

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77, US 62 East: Marietta, Akron
9
26.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 77 North, US 62 East: Akron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North, US 62 East: Akron
8
62 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 80, Ohio Turnpike: Toledo, Youngstown

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 14B Toward I 80, Ohio Turnpike: Toledo, Youngstown
7
62.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: Toledo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Toledo
8
97.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward SR 57: Lorain, Elyria

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 145 Toward SR 57: Lorain, Elyria

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.37 one way

$32.75 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $18.17 $36.34
premium $4.91 $20.39 $40.78
diesel $5.61 $23.29 $46.59

Estimated Tolls: $1.72

Ohio Turnpike (34.4 mi) $1.72

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.7 0 $11.08 $5.06
Efficient EV 26.4 0 $9.23 $4.22
EV Truck/SUV 42.2 0 $14.77 $6.75

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Carrollton, OH

Night in Carrollton on Sunday

Local time

10:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lorain, OH

Night in Lorain on Sunday

Local time

10:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 13 to 17 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

11 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

2h 17m 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

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 65.5
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 105.5-mile trip, with 67% of the route on major interstates. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35 miles on I-77, offering a consistent pace. While primarily on high-speed roads, parts of the route may incorporate local roads like Canton Road Northwest, offering brief changes in scenery and speed. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed for covering ground quickly rather than leisurely sightseeing.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35 mi on I 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and Ohio Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 105.5 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 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 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 Carrollton, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Akron, Ohio Turnpike: Toledo, Youngstown and Elyria.

Akron

26.5 mi in | ~39m

Ohio Turnpike: Toledo

62 mi in | ~1h 23m

Youngstown

62 mi in | ~1h 23m

Elyria

97.3 mi in | ~2h 3m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 17m 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 35 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.72 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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