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Trip from Lakewood, OH to Union City, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 39m

Distance

231.5 mi

372 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 26m ★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lakewood, OH, OH

Lakewood, OH

Wikimedia Commons

village in Darke County, Ohio, United States

Union City, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 231.5 miles across the Ohio heartland, this trip between Lakewood and Union City typically takes about 4 hours and 39 minutes. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, it is well-suited for a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $35 for fuel, making this an economical choice for a cross-state trek. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-75, the Ohio Turnpike Connector, and Hayes Avenue. Since both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the entire excursion. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from the northern suburbs to the western border of the state with minimal fuss.

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

115.7 miles from Lakewood, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 68.3 mi 1h 13m
Ohio Turnpike Connector 52.6 mi 56m
Hayes Avenue 24.4 mi 33m
South Main Street 22.6 mi 29m
Northwest Freeway 19 mi 22m
US 33 12.6 mi 13m
Canal Street 10.8 mi 18m
SR 29 8.9 mi 10m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 68.3 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, OH and Union City, OH.

1

Start on Franklin Boulevard

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2

Turn left onto Hilliard Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hilliard Road
3

Turn left onto McKinley Avenue

0.2 mi · 36 sec · McKinley Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Toledo
5

Merge onto I 90

19 mi · 22 min · Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

53 mi · 56 min · Ohio Turnpike Connector
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 91 Toward SR 53: Fremont, Port Clinton Use the slight right lane.
8

Enter roundabout onto SR 53

13 ft · 0 sec · SR 53
9

Continue on SR 53

2.2 mi · 2 min · SR 53
10

Take the exit onto SR 53

0.5 mi · 59 sec · SR 53
11

Merge onto US 6; US 20; SR 19; SR 53

1.7 mi · 1 min · Bypass Highway
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 6; SR 53

1.2 mi · 1 min · Bypass Highway
13

Enter roundabout onto US 6; SR 53

64 ft · 3 sec · Bypass Highway
Toward US 6 West, SR 53 South
14

Continue on US 6; SR 53

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bypass Highway
Toward US 6 West, SR 53 South
15

Turn right onto US 6

24 mi · 33 min · Hayes Avenue
16

Turn left

0.4 mi · 51 sec
17

Merge onto I 75

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 75
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Exit 110 Toward US 33: Bellefontaine, Saint Marys
19

Keep slight left at fork

125 ft · 5 sec
Exit 110 Toward US 33 East: Bellefontaine
20

Turn right onto US 33

13 mi · 13 min · US 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on SR 29

8.9 mi · 10 min · SR 29
22

Turn left onto US 127; SR 29; SR 703

23 mi · 29 min · South Main Street
23

Turn right onto SR 47

2.5 mi · 4 min · State Route 47
24

Continue on SR 47

11 mi · 18 min · Canal Street
25

Continue on SR 47

0.6 mi · 52 sec · East Elm Street
26

Arrive at destination

SR 47

Trip Plan

Given the total duration of nearly 4.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since the itinerary includes just one recommended stop, aim to stretch your legs halfway through to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge when navigating the transition between the interstate portions and the secondary roads like Hayes Avenue to ensure you don't run low in quieter stretches. Because this is a one-day trip, starting your morning early allows you to arrive in Union City with plenty of daylight left for your plans. Use the 68.3-mile I-75 segment as your primary window for steady progress, saving your designated stop for the transition onto the local highway connectors.

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 115.7 miles from Lakewood, OH, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.3 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 51 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.7 miles or 2h 19m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, OH

This is one driving day of about 231.5 miles and 4h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Lakewood, 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 75 for about 68.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hardin County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kenton, OH

116 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

Port Clinton, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fostoria, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.7 miles from Lakewood, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.3 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Caffeine Lakewood

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lakewood, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14408570320

Visit website

the root cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lakewood, Ohio

0.3 mi

Propaganda Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lakewood, Ohio

1.2 mi

Caffeine Lakewood

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Lakewood, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14408570320

Visit website

the root cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Lakewood, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12162264401

Visit website

Propaganda Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Lakewood, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12167675811

Visit website

Caffè Roma

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12168899999

Visit website

Joe's, A Fine Deli & Restaurant- Rocky River

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rocky River, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14403337890

Visit website

Bucci's Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Rocky River, Ohio

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+14403315157

Visit website

Aroma Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Rocky River, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14405709817

Visit website

Cafe Everest

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+12164762990

Milan Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.6

Milan, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+14197440940

Visit website

Wild Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.1

Clyde, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+15678555083

Visit website

Light on The Corner

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15673713267

The Village Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Cridersville, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+14196454042

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 173.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 90 West: Toledo

Navigation decision point

Toward I 90 West: Toledo
8
73.2 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward SR 53: Fremont, Port Clinton

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 91 Toward SR 53: Fremont, Port Clinton
6
79.4 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | US 6; SR 53 / Bypass Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 6; SR 53 / Bypass Highway toward US 6 West, SR 53 South

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6 West, SR 53 South
6
173.4 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in

Take the exit toward US 33: Bellefontaine, Saint Marys

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

Exit 110 Toward US 33: Bellefontaine, Saint Marys
7
173.5 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 33 East: Bellefontaine

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 110 Toward US 33 East: Bellefontaine

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.93 one way

$71.86 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $39.87 $79.75
premium $4.91 $44.74 $89.48
diesel $5.61 $51.11 $102.22

Estimated Tolls: $2.63

Ohio Turnpike (52.6 mi) $2.63

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

$36

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.5 0 $24.31 $11.11
Efficient EV 57.9 0 $20.26 $9.26
EV Truck/SUV 92.6 1 $32.41 $14.82

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 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 12, 2026

Origin

Lakewood, OH

Late night in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

12:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Sunny

S 9 to 15 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Destination

Union City, OH

Late night in Union City on Sunday

Local time

12:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Partly Sunny

S 9 to 22 mph 5% chance 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

4 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

4h 39m 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.

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free
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 experience, as 72% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The journey features a mix of arterial connections and interstate cruising, including a significant 68.3-mile stretch on I-75 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. While the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical curves, the transition from the turnpike connectors to local avenues provides a shift in pace. You will find that the road maintains a predictable, steady rhythm, allowing you to settle into a comfortable driving cadence. This is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes steady progress over winding scenic detours, keeping you moving toward your destination without unnecessary complexities.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.3 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Ohio Turnpike Connector. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 231.5 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 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 73.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.4 miles (US 6; SR 53 / Bypass Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,108 ft 600 ft

Total Climb

687 ft

Total Descent

281 ft

Highest Point

1,108 ft

~231.5 mi in

Elevation Range

508 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lakewood, OH and Union City, OH, road signs point toward Port Clinton and Saint Marys.

Port Clinton

73.2 mi in | ~1h 23m

Saint Marys

173.4 mi in | ~3h 20m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 231.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.63 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.

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 Union City, 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 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 73.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.4 miles (US 6; SR 53 / Bypass Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Union City, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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