Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Waynesville, OH to Lakewood, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
207.9 mi
335 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waynesville, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Waynesville to Lakewood is 207.9 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 71 and SR 73, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The bulk of your travel will be on the interstate, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration and minimal stops, this route is ideal if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
104 miles from Waynesville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 193.5 mi | 3h 31m |
| SR 73 | 9 mi | 12m |
| Warren Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| South Innerbelt | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West 150th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 193.5 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 224 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,156 veh/hr typical · worst 2,748
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Waynesville, OH and Lakewood, OH.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto SR 73
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
SR 73
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
4
Merge onto I 71
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Innerbelt
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 71
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
112 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
20 mi
·
22 min
·
I 71
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 240
Toward West 150th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto West 150th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 150th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on Warren Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Warren Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Franklin Boulevard
456 ft
·
11 sec
·
Franklin Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
Franklin Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of under 4 hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $32, planning is minimal. The longest continuous stretch is over 193 miles on I 71, so ensure you have entertainment or are comfortable with extended highway cruising before you depart. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 71 to SR 73 as your primary highway segment concludes.
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 104 miles from Waynesville, OH, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.5 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104 miles or 1h 58m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waynesville, 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 Waynesville, OH
This is one driving day of about 207.9 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Waynesville, 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 193.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104 miles from Waynesville, 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 193.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Dupre Roadside Park
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 204.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 73
Turn left onto SR 73
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
6
72.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
204.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward West 150th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward West 150th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.45 one way
$66.90 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.63 | $37.93 | $75.86 |
| premium | $5.17 | $42.35 | $84.70 |
| diesel | $6.22 | $50.88 | $101.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.83 | $9.98 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.2 | 1 | $29.11 | $13.31 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Waynesville, OH
Morning in Waynesville on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
31°F
Clear then Widespread Frost
NE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:40PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:02PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Lakewood, OH
Morning in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:40PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:02PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
43°F
Ashley, OH
104 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
7 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 56m 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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 186.4
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 14.3
View on nps.gov
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the drive on interstates and major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 193.5 miles on I 71 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges for the majority of your travel time, which is typical for interstate driving. Warren Road marks the final section of surface street driving as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and SR 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near SR 73.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 207.9 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 0.3 miles (SR 73): Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.7 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,377 ft
702 ft
Total Climb
989 ft
Total Descent
1,038 ft
Highest Point
1,377 ft
~118.8 mi in
Elevation Range
675 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 Waynesville, OH to Lakewood, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wheeling along the way.
Wheeling
70 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 71
About the Cities
Starting in Waynesville, OH
Full guide →Founded 1797
Waynesville is a small village in Warren County, Ohio. It is located at the crossroads of U.S. Route 42 and State Route 73, approximately 37 mi (60 km) northeast of Cincinnati.
Arriving in Lakewood, OH
Full guide →Founded 1889
Lakewood is a city next to Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 207.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.5 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Lakewood, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (SR 73): Lane positioning matters here; at 70 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.7 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakewood, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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