This 198.8-mile drive from Lakewood to Waverly, Ohio, is a straightforward, single-day journey that will take you approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71, this route focuses on efficient highway travel, making it an ideal day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $31 for this trip. Traveling within the Midwest region of Ohio, the drive offers a direct path south. With its manageable distance and duration, it's a practical option for a quick getaway or a purposeful trip.
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
99.4 miles from Lakewood, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
138.2 mi
2h 31m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
36.5 mi
47m
US 23
14.7 mi
20m
South High Street
2.8 mi
4m
Warren Road
2.2 mi
5m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
1.1 mi
1m
West 150th Street
0.9 mi
1m
West 154th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 138.2 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, OH and Waverly, OH.
1
Start on Franklin Boulevard
456 ft·18 sec·Franklin Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Warren Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Warren Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on West 150th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West 150th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto West 154th Street
489 ft·26 sec·West 154th Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 71
0.9 mi·58 sec·I 71
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
132 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
5.1 mi·5 min·I 71
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 101Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 EastUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 270
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, CirclevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi·4 min·South High Street
17
Continue on US 23
37 mi·47 min·Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
15 mi·20 min·US 23
19
Arrive at destination
US 23; SR 104
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 57-minute duration, this route works well as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the 138.2-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, budgeting approximately $31 for the entire trip, and aim to fill up before embarking on the longer interstate segment to ensure a smooth journey.
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 99.4 miles from Lakewood, OH, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.2 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 198.8 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 71 for about 138.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 144.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
141.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
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 101
Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
7
142.3 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East
8
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.85 one way
$61.71 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$34.24
$68.48
premium
$4.91
$38.42
$76.84
diesel
$5.61
$43.89
$87.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
Efficient EV
49.7
0
$17.40
$7.95
EV Truck/SUV
79.5
0
$27.83
$12.72
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Lakewood, OH
Morning
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waverly, OH
Morning
in Waverly on Sunday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
New Albany, OH
99 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
4 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
3h 57m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 185.1
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 20.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on I-71, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 138.2 miles. This suggests a consistent pace for much of the journey. The use of Portsmouth - Columbus Road and US 23 indicates a shift to more regional highways as you approach your destination, potentially offering a change of scenery from the interstate.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.2 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Portsmouth - Columbus Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 198.8 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 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: 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.
Between Lakewood, OH and Waverly, OH, road signs point toward Grove City and Circleville.
Grove City
141.8 mi in|~2h 40m
Circleville
144.1 mi in|~2h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 198.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.2 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 Waverly, 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 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 141.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waverly, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
