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Trip from Lorain, OH to Akron, OH

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

Drive Time

1h 12m

Distance

57.6 mi

93 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 7m ★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 9m

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

Downtown Lorain, OH, OH

Lorain, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip between Lorain and Akron, you can expect a straightforward 57.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, it is an economical route for a quick commute or day outing within the Midwest. You will primarily utilize the Ohio Turnpike and the Akron Expressway to navigate between these two Ohio cities. Since the route is highly efficient, it serves as a reliable connection rather than a complex expedition.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ohio Turnpike 34.6 mi 37m
Akron Expressway 12 mi 14m
East 28th Street 2.3 mi 3m
Lorain Boulevard 2.1 mi 3m
Grove Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
West 21st Street 0.8 mi 1m
East Mill Street 0.5 mi 1m
Broadway 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ohio Turnpike — 34.6 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Akron, OH.

1

Start on Hamilton Avenue

0.1 mi · 37 sec · Hamilton Avenue
2

Turn left onto SR 611

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 21st Street
3

Turn right onto SR 57

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Broadway
4

Turn left onto SR 57

2.3 mi · 3 min · East 28th Street
5

Turn right onto SR 57

1.5 mi · 2 min · Grove Avenue
6

Continue on SR 57

2.1 mi · 3 min · Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 80 Toll: Ohio Turnpike
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 80 East: Cleveland
9

Merge onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Ohio Turnpike
Toward I 80 East: Cleveland
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

29 mi · 31 min · Ohio Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 180 Toward SR 8: Akron Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 34 sec
Toward SR 8 South: Akron Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Merge onto SR 8

12 mi · 14 min · Akron Expressway
Toward Akron
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 1B Toward SR 59: Perkins Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto Goodkirk Street

332 ft · 10 sec · Goodkirk Street
17

Continue on Goodkirk Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Goodkirk Street
18

Turn right onto North Forge Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · North Forge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Continue on East Mill Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Mill Street
20

Enter roundabout onto South Main Street

162 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
21

Continue on South Main Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · South Main Street
22

Turn right onto West Bowery Street

72 ft · 1 sec · West Bowery Street
23

Arrive at destination

West Bowery Street

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Northfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Northfield, OH

29 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

Elyria, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middleburg Heights, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from Lorain, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 43 and 56.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
43 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward SR 8: Akron

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 180 Toward SR 8: Akron
8
43.4 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hi...
7
43.8 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward SR 8 South: Akron
7
56.3 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward SR 59: Perkins Street

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1B Toward SR 59: Perkins Street
6
56.7 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | North Forge Street

Turn right onto North Forge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.94 one way

$17.88 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $9.92 $19.84
premium $4.91 $11.13 $22.26
diesel $5.61 $12.72 $25.43

Estimated Tolls: $1.73

Ohio Turnpike (34.6 mi) $1.73

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Tolls

$2

Total

$11

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.3 0 $6.05 $2.76
Efficient EV 14.4 0 $5.04 $2.30
EV Truck/SUV 23 0 $8.06 $3.69

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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

Lorain, OH

Morning in Lorain on Sunday

Local time

10:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Akron, OH

Morning in Akron on Sunday

Local time

10:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Northfield, OH

29 mi in

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

1 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

1h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 81% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Ohio Turnpike, which features a 34.6-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The trip begins with local navigation on East 28th Street before transitioning into a consistent interstate rhythm. Because the majority of the journey is spent on major thoroughfares, you will find the drive feels fast and functional. It is a no-nonsense trip designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal deviation.

81% 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: 34.6 mi on Ohio Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and Akron Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.6 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Akron, OH

Full guide →

Akron is a city of almost 200,000 people (2019) in the Northeast Ohio region in Summit County. Akron is proud of its heritage as a center of industry, and now offers visitors a wide range of recreational and cultural attractions, food experiences, and shopping.

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 1h 12m. Total distance: 57.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 34.6 miles on Ohio Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.73 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.

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 Akron, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Akron, OH before heading back.

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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