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Trip from Lakewood, OH to West Portsmouth, 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 37m

Distance

227.3 mi

366 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 24m ★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m

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

Downtown Lakewood, OH, OH

Lakewood, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Portsmouth, OH, OH

West Portsmouth, OH

Daniel Miller

Trip Overview

Lakewood, OH to West Portsmouth, OH is 227.3 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. You won't encounter dramatic scenery changes, but rather a consistent pace that allows you to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B without many detours.

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

113.7 miles from Lakewood, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 138.2 mi 2h 31m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road 36.5 mi 47m
US 23 32.3 mi 44m
SR 104 9.3 mi 12m
South High Street 2.8 mi 4m
Warren Road 2.2 mi 5m
SR 348 1.3 mi 1m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway 1.1 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 West Portsmouth, 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 101 Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 270 East Use 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 52 Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville Use 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

32 mi · 44 min · US 23
19

Turn right onto SR 348

1.3 mi · 1 min · SR 348
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto SR 104

9.3 mi · 12 min · SR 104
21

Turn right onto C-440

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Calvert's Lane
22

Turn right onto 6th Street

180 ft · 7 sec · 6th Street
23

Arrive at destination

6th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Lakewood in the morning should allow you to reach West Portsmouth with plenty of daylight to spare. The $35 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and you'll want to ensure you have a full tank before heading out, especially given the longest stretch of 138.2 miles. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for one stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 71 to US 23 in the latter half of the 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 113.7 miles from Lakewood, OH, or about 2h 9m 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 50 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Portsmouth, 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 227.3 miles and 4h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, OH

114 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

Mansfield, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dublin, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.7 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 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.2 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 19

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

$35.28 one way

$70.55 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $39.15 $78.30
premium $4.91 $43.93 $87.86
diesel $5.61 $50.18 $100.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.2 0 $23.87 $10.91
Efficient EV 56.8 0 $19.89 $9.09
EV Truck/SUV 90.9 1 $31.82 $14.55

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Lakewood, OH

Late night in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

12:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Portsmouth, OH

Late night in West Portsmouth on Sunday

Local time

12:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

8 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 37m 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.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 188.1
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
View on nps.gov
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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 15.7
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 heavily focused on highway driving, with 80% of your journey on high-speed roads, primarily I 71. Expect a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip, including a longest stretch of 138.2 miles on I 71 without needing to exit. While the main roads are efficient, the latter part of your drive incorporates the Portsmouth - Columbus Road and US 23, which may offer a slightly different feel as you approach your destination. Overall, it's a practical, highway-centric experience designed for steady progress.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 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 19 significant decision points across 227.3 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 West Portsmouth, 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 4h 37m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). 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 West Portsmouth, 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at West Portsmouth, 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.

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