Lorain, OH to Circleville, OH is 163.9 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 71 and Portsmouth - Columbus Road, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. The route is primarily highway, offering a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable distance, it's a practical option for a quick transfer or connection.
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
82 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
101.5 mi
1h 51m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
16.1 mi
21m
Avon Lake Road
13.1 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
Lorain Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
South High Street
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 101.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,981
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Circleville, 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
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto SR 57; SR 113
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
11
Turn right onto SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
12
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
86 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
13
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
231 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
14
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
129 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
15
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
16
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
392 ft·6 sec·Avon Lake Road
18
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
19
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
20
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
21
Continue on SR 83
2.0 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
23
Merge onto I 71
96 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
5.1 mi·5 min·I 71
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 101Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight left lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 EastUse the slight left lane.
28
Merge onto I 270
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, CirclevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
32
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi·4 min·South High Street
33
Continue on US 23
16 mi·21 min·Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward US22, OH56: Circleville
35
Turn left onto US 22; SR 56
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
36
Turn right onto C-512
522 ft·19 sec·South Court Street
37
Arrive at destination
C-512
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m duration, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Circleville, OH, before evening. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you can depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 101.5-mile stretch on I 71, as services can be spaced out. The $26 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
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 82 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.5 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 39m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Circleville, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lorain, 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 Lorain, OH
This is one driving day of about 163.9 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lorain, 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 101.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 141.1 and 143.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
141.1 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
141.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
141.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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...
6
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 South: Circleville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.64 one way
$51.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$28.87
$57.74
premium
$5.06
$32.63
$65.25
diesel
$6.18
$39.87
$79.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.2
0
$17.21
$7.87
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.34
$6.56
EV Truck/SUV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Lorain, OH
Morning
in Lorain on Sunday
Local time
8:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 6 to 14 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 10:06AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Circleville, OH
Morning
in Circleville on Sunday
Local time
8:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 8 to 14 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 10:06AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
1 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
3h 17m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 163.9
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 22.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 67% of the drive on highways, you'll spend a good portion of your time on I 71. The longest continuous stretch on this interstate is 101.5 miles, so expect some sustained cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads like Portsmouth - Columbus Road will involve a noticeable increase in intersections and potentially slower local traffic as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 141.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 163.9 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 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,260 ft608 ft
Total Climb
651 ft
Total Descent
564 ft
Highest Point
1,260 ft
~82 mi in
Elevation Range
651 ft
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 Lorain, OH to Circleville, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Grove City along the way.
Lorain is a city of 64,000 people (2019) 30 miles west of Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. A former industrial center for shipbuilding, auto manufacturing, and steel, like other Rust Belt cities, the city faces population decline and urban decay.
Top landmarks
•Lorain West Breakwater Light — lighthouse in Ohio, United States
•Lorain Palace Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Lorain, Ohio, United States
Circleville is the county seat of Pickaway County and a city in the Miami - Scioto basins in south-central Ohio. It is located along the banks of the Scioto River. As of the 2020 Census, Circleville's population was 13,922 and is slowly increasing. It is located approximately halfway between Washington Court House (Court House, as the locals refer to it: designated as Washington CH on highway signs) and Lancaster on US 22, and about halfway between Columbus and Chillicothe on US 23.
Top landmarks
•Circleville Historic District — park in the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 163.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.5 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Circleville, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Circleville, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
