This 132.2-mile drive from Lorain, OH to Thornport, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily navigate I-71 and SR-13, with a portion on Avon Lake Road, offering a mixed driving experience. Expect a fuel cost of around $21 for this journey within the Midwest region. With only one recommended stop, this route is efficient for getting you to your destination quickly. It's a straightforward trip perfect for a quick getaway or a practical transit between these Ohio locations.
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
66.1 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
34.1 mi
36m
SR 13
23.3 mi
28m
Avon Lake Road
13.1 mi
15m
Mount Vernon Road
12.6 mi
18m
Newark Road
10.1 mi
15m
Jacksontown Road
9.3 mi
14m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 34.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Thornport, 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
34 mi·36 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·56 sec
Exit 169Toward SR 13: Bellville, MansfieldUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto SR 13
23 mi·28 min·SR 13
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto SR 13
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto North Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Mulberry Street
28
Turn left onto SR 13
378 ft·4 sec·Phillips Drive
29
Turn right onto SR 13
0.3 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
30
Continue on SR 13
10 mi·15 min·Newark Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on SR 13
1.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
32
Continue on SR 13
13 mi·18 min·Mount Vernon Road
33
Continue on SR 13
461 ft·7 sec·North 4th Street
34
Enter roundabout onto SR 13
91 ft·1 sec·North 4th Street
35
Continue on SR 13
466 ft·7 sec·North 4th Street
36
Enter roundabout onto West Main Street Roundabout
95 ft·1 sec·West Main Street Roundabout
37
Continue on West Main Street Roundabout
128 ft·2 sec·West Main Street Roundabout
38
Turn straight onto SR 13
0.5 mi·42 sec·South 4th Street
39
Continue on SR 13
0.2 mi·26 sec·West National Drive
40
Turn slight left onto SR 13
9.3 mi·14 min·Jacksontown Road
41
Turn right onto CR 30
101 ft·2 sec·Zion Road
Use the right lane.
42
Continue on CR 30
0.1 mi·12 sec·Zion Road
43
Turn left onto Town Hwy 1064
440 ft·19 sec·Town Hwy 1064
44
Arrive at destination
Town Hwy 1064
Trip Plan
For this 132.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially on I-71. The estimated fuel cost of $21 makes this an affordable day trip, and with only one stop recommended, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer 34.1-mile stretch on I-71, ensuring you have enough to pass through comfortably. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily complete this journey without needing to split it over multiple days.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.1 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.1 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.1 miles or 1h 21m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thornport, 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 132.2 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 34.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 97.3 — 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
8
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 13: Bellville, Mansfield
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 169
Toward SR 13: Bellville, Mansfield
6
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|SR 13 / West Chestnut Street
Turn left onto SR 13 / West Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.52 one way
$41.03 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$22.77
$45.54
premium
$4.91
$25.55
$51.10
diesel
$5.61
$29.19
$58.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.7
0
$13.88
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.57
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lorain, OH
Morning
in Lorain on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 13 to 16 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 10:59PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 10:59PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Thornport, OH
Morning
in Thornport on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
66 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
20 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
2h 52m 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.
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 22.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this 132.2-mile drive is a blend of highway speeds and local road transitions. With 48% of the journey on highways, you'll experience stretches of faster driving, including a significant 34.1-mile segment on I-71. As you transition off the interstate onto SR-13 and Avon Lake Road, the pace will likely adjust, offering a different feel behind the wheel. This mixed profile means you'll encounter varying road conditions and driving dynamics throughout the 2-hour and 52-minute trip.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.1 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 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 132.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 Thornport, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield along the way.
Mansfield
73.6 mi in|~1h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 132.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.1 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Thornport, OH before heading back.
