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Trip from London, OH to Lakewood, OH

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

Drive Time

3h 7m

Distance

162.6 mi

262 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m

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

city in Madison County, Ohio, United States

London, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lakewood, OH, OH

Lakewood, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

London, OH to Lakewood, OH is 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 7m via I 71 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a quick transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this is likely your best bet.

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

81.3 miles from London, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 130.7 mi 2h 22m
I 70 16.4 mi 17m
London – Delaware Road 5.3 mi 7m
I 670 4.3 mi 5m
Warren Road 2.2 mi 5m
West 150th Street 1 mi 2m
Lafayette Road 0.4 mi <1m
Elm Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 130.7 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 42; SR 38; SR 142

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East High Street
2

Turn slight left onto US 42; SR 38

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Elm Street
3

Keep slight right at fork onto US 42

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Lafayette Road
4

Continue on US 42

5.3 mi · 7 min · London – Delaware Road
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
6

Merge onto I 70

16 mi · 17 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

111 mi · 2 hr · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 71

20 mi · 22 min · I 71
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 240 Toward West 150th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto West 150th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · West 150th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on Warren Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Warren Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn right onto Franklin Boulevard

456 ft · 11 sec · Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Arrive at destination

Franklin Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 7m duration and 162.6-mile distance, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, which is quite manageable. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the drive as needed, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 130 miles. Keep an eye on the road conditions as you approach the Cleveland metropolitan area, as traffic can increase.

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 81.3 miles from London, OH, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.7 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 36 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.3 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 29m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving London, 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 London, OH

This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from London, 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 130.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

81 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

Columbus, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from London, 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 130.7 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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 23 and 158.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
23 mi into trip | ~28m 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
27.3 mi into trip | ~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
6
27.5 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward I 71 North: Cleveland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
7
27.9 mi into trip | ~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
7
158.9 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward West 150th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 240 Toward West 150th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.24 one way

$50.47 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $28.01 $56.01
premium $4.91 $31.43 $62.85
diesel $5.61 $35.90 $71.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.8 0 $17.07 $7.80
Efficient EV 40.7 0 $14.23 $6.50
EV Truck/SUV 65 0 $22.76 $10.41

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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

London, OH

Afternoon in London on Sunday

Local time

2:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakewood, OH

Afternoon in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

2:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Mansfield, OH

81 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

12 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 7m 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.

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 145.8
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free
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 this trip, with 93% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 71, including a continuous stretch of 130.7 miles. The route largely follows interstate highways, suggesting a consistent pace and a focus on efficiency rather than scenic detours. The road character remains predominantly that of a high-speed highway for most of the drive.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.7 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 23 miles in near I 670.

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 11 significant decision points across 162.6 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 23 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from London, OH to Lakewood, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.

Cleveland

27.3 mi in | ~34m | via North Innerbelt

About the Cities

Starting in London, OH

Full guide →

London is a town in the Greater Columbus area of Ohio.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 162.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130.7 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 Lakewood, 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 23 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakewood, 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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Explore more options from London, OH or browse trips ending in Lakewood, OH.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.