Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
74.2 mi
119 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Thompson, OH
WoodysMedia
This straightforward 74.2-mile drive from Lorain, OH to Thompson, OH is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like I-90, the Northwest Freeway, and the Lakeland Freeway, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. You can expect a modest fuel cost of around $12 for this journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this trip is best tackled in one go, offering a practical way to travel between these two Midwest locations without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| Northwest Freeway | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Lakeland Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Colorado Avenue | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| South Madison Road | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Euclid Spur | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Cleveland Memorial Shoreway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Henderson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Thompson, OH.
Start on Hamilton Avenue
Turn left onto SR 611
Continue on SR 611
Turn right onto SR 611
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90; SR 2
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90
Merge onto I 90; SR 2
Continue on I 90; SR 2
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90
Continue on I 271
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 528
Continue on SR 528
Turn right onto SR 528
Arrive at destination
For this 1 hour and 36-minute drive, departing mid-morning should help you avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic. With only 74.2 miles to cover, you have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed, though none are specifically noted on this route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 28.2-mile stretch on I-90, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The $12 fuel cost is a good estimate for planning your budget on this quick trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lorain, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lorain, OH
This is one driving day of about 74.2 miles and 1h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.1 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 69 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 90 East, SR 2 East: Cleveland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 / Euclid Spur toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward SR 528: Madison, Thompson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$11.52 one way
$23.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| premium | $4.91 | $14.34 | $28.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.38 | $32.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.79 | $3.56 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Thompson on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 75% of this 74.2-mile journey. The bulk of your travel will be on I-90, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 28.2 miles. While the route is largely on freeways, the Northwest Freeway and Lakeland Freeway segments will keep you moving efficiently. This drive is characterized by consistent speeds and straightforward navigation, making it a predictable and manageable trip for most drivers.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 74.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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