Lorain, OH to De Graff, OH is 173.2 miles and takes about 3h 26m via I 71 and US 36, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on the interstate, which means efficient travel. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical way to get from point A to point B without many detours, keeping your travel time and fuel costs predictable.
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
86.6 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
72.6 mi
1h 17m
US 36
24.4 mi
26m
Marysville Road
14.3 mi
16m
Avon Lake Road
13.1 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
State Route 47
6.4 mi
8m
State Route 37 East
5.8 mi
7m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 72.6 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and De Graff, 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
73 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 131Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, DelawareUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 36; SR 37
5.8 mi·7 min·State Route 37 East
26
Continue on US 36; SR 37
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
27
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
2.4 mi·2 min·East William Street
28
Continue on US 36
14 mi·16 min·Marysville Road
29
Take the exit onto US 36
24 mi·26 min·US 36
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward SR 540: Bellefontaine
31
Turn left onto SR 540
3.5 mi·5 min·East Sandusky Avenue
32
Continue on SR 47
6.4 mi·8 min·State Route 47
33
Enter roundabout onto SR 235
198 ft·3 sec·State Route 235
34
Continue on SR 235
1.7 mi·2 min·State Route 235
35
Continue on SR 235
1.1 mi·1 min·Cretcher Avenue
36
Turn right
50 ft·3 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3.5 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 72.6 miles on I 71, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the relatively short distance and the $27 fuel cost estimate, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling. It's wise to make your final fuel stop before heading onto US 36 to ensure a smooth arrival in De Graff.
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 86.6 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.6 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Graff, 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 173.2 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 72.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 112.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.2 mi into trip|~31m in|SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
26.9 mi into trip|~37m in|SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
39.2 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
5
39.5 mi into trip|~53m in|I 71
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
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 131
Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.88 one way
$53.76 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$29.83
$59.67
premium
$4.91
$33.47
$66.95
diesel
$5.61
$38.24
$76.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.19
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lorain, OH
Late night
in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
De Graff, OH
Late night
in De Graff on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
87 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
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 26m 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
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 23.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey, particularly during the longest stretch of 72.6 miles on I 71. Expect a character that prioritizes direct travel, transitioning from interstate speeds to state highways as you approach your destination. The road's personality is geared towards covering ground efficiently, minimizing slower sections and maximizing mileage on well-maintained thoroughfares.
68% 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: 72.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 36. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near SR 83 / Avon Belden Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 22.2 miles (SR 83 / Avon Belden Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 26.9 miles (SR 83 / Avon Lake Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 De Graff, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Delaware along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.6 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.2 miles (SR 83 / Avon Belden Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 26.9 miles (SR 83 / Avon Lake Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at De Graff, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
