Origin
Dodson, OH
Morning in Dodson on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dodson, OH to Lorain, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
216.4 mi
348 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 59m
★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dodson, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dodson to Lorain is 216.4 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 71 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect a consistent driving experience without significant changes in scenery or road type. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in Ohio.
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
108.2 miles from Dodson, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 94.1 mi | 1h 42m |
| I 70 | 70.1 mi | 1h 16m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| I 670 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Avon Belden Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Grafton Road | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| US 40 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 94.1 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dodson, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on Kemple Street
486 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kemple Street
2
Turn right onto Dodson Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Dodson Road
3
Turn right onto US 40
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 40
4
Turn right onto SR 49
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Dayton Greenville Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
94 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 204
Toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wooster Street
15
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Elyria Street
16
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Avon Lake Road
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft
·
8 sec
·
Avon Lake Road
18
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Avon Lake Road
19
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Avon Belden Road
20
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
21
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft
·
3 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
22
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
23
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Avon Belden Road
24
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Grafton Road
25
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Grove Avenue
30
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 28th Street
31
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Broadway
32
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 21st Street
33
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hamilton Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 12m duration, departing Dodson in the morning allows ample time to reach Lorain before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a clear mention of services is 94.1 miles on I-71. It's wise to fill up before this segment to avoid any concerns. Planning to leave mid-morning could help you avoid peak rush hour traffic in more populated areas along the way.
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 108.2 miles from Dodson, OH, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.1 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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
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 Dodson, 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 Dodson, OH
This is one driving day of about 216.4 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Dodson, 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 94.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.2 miles from Dodson, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.1 miles.
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 176.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
77.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
7
82.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
176.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
$33.58 one way
$67.17 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $37.27 | $74.55 |
| premium | $4.91 | $41.82 | $83.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.78 | $95.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.94 | $8.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.6 | 1 | $30.30 | $13.85 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Lorain, OH
Morning in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
108 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
2 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
4h 12m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 22.4
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 29.9
View on nps.gov
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
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 194
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 83% of the journey on major roadways like I-71 and I-70. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.1 miles on I-71, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed and highway conditions. The profile suggests a focused drive, meaning you'll likely be navigating interstate traffic for the majority of your travel time. While there are brief sections on local roads like Avon Lake Road, the overall character is one of efficient, high-speed transit.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.1 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 216.4 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 7.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dodson, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Wooster.
Cleveland
81.8 mi in
|
~1h 34m
|
via North Innerbelt
Wooster
176.9 mi in
|
~3h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 216.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.1 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 7.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Lorain, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lorain, OH
More from Dodson, OH
More trips to Lorain, OH
Explore more options from Dodson, OH or browse trips ending in Lorain, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.