Origin
Lorain, OH
Morning in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lorain, OH to Fairborn, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
193.7 mi
312 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Fairborn, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 193.7-mile drive from Lorain, OH to Fairborn, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend about 3 hours and 44 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I 71. With a projected fuel cost of around $30, this is an economical option for a quick trip within the Midwest. The route is designed for efficiency, making it a practical choice if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this a direct connection across Ohio, best suited for a day trip.
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
96.9 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 93.5 mi | 1h 41m |
| West Freeway | 50.6 mi | 54m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| I 670 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Avon Belden Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Grafton Road | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Lorain Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 93.5 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Fairborn, 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 70
51 mi
·
54 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 44
Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, Cincinnati
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 44A
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on I 675
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 675
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
34
Turn right onto SR 444
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 444
35
Turn left onto North Maple Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Maple Avenue
36
Turn right onto Tacoma Lane
347 ft
·
25 sec
·
Tacoma Lane
37
Arrive at destination
Tacoma Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 44 minute duration, starting your drive from Lorain in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Fairborn. With only one recommended stop, you have considerable flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch on I 71 is over 90 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short distance, you won't need to split this drive, allowing for a spontaneous departure or a leisurely start.
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 96.9 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.5 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 43 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 55m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairborn, 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 193.7 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 93.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from Lorain, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.5 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 133 and 189.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
133 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
7
133.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
8
189 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, Cincinnati
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 44
Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, Cincinnati
7
189.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
8
189.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 44A
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.06 one way
$60.12 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $33.36 | $66.73 |
| premium | $4.91 | $37.44 | $74.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.77 | $85.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.34 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.95 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.12 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Fairborn, OH
Morning in Fairborn on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
97 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
21 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 44m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 193.7
View on nps.gov
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 193.7
View on nps.gov
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
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 20
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 82% highway share on this route, indicating a predominantly fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93.5 miles on I 71, so plan for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, you'll also navigate sections of West Freeway and Avon Lake Road, offering minor variations in pace. Overall, this drive leans heavily towards efficient travel, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads or extensive scenic detours.
82% 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: 93.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 193.7 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 133 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,306 ft
608 ft
Total Climb
1,209 ft
Total Descent
980 ft
Highest Point
1,306 ft
~83 mi in
Elevation Range
698 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fairborn, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Dayton along the way.
Dayton
133 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 193.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.5 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 Fairborn, 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 133 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairborn, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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