Withamsville, OH to Lorain, OH is 245.3 miles and takes about 4h 50m via I 71, Circle Freeway, and Northeast Expressway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. The majority of this trip is on highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. Plan for a relatively quick travel day that should get you to your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122.6 miles from Withamsville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
165.2 mi
3h
Circle Freeway
16.1 mi
18m
Northeast Expressway
14.2 mi
16m
Avon Lake Road
13.3 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 165.2 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 79 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,087 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,731
Quietest
2 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Withamsville, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on this road
84 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto McCormick Lane
85 ft·5 sec·McCormick Lane
3
Turn right onto Britton Boulevard
0.2 mi·59 sec·Britton Boulevard
4
Turn left onto SR 125
0.5 mi·56 sec·Ohio Pike
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 275 North: ColumbusUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 275
16 mi·18 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 49BToward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
14 mi·16 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
11
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
15
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 204Toward SR 83: Lodi, WoosterUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi·3 min·Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
23
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
24
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
25
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
26
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
27
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
28
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
29
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
30
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
31
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
32
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
33
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
37
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
38
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
39
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
40
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
41
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 50m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize your daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $37, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Lorain, as services can become less frequent in certain stretches. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 122.6 miles from Withamsville, OH, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 26m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lorain, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Withamsville, 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 Withamsville, OH
This is one driving day of about 245.3 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Withamsville, 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 165.2 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 205.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.2 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 71 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49B
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
8
32.2 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
7
108 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
8
205.7 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
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 204
Toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.69 one way
$75.39 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.51
$85.02
premium
$4.99
$48.16
$96.32
diesel
$4.80
$46.32
$92.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.76
$11.77
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
EV Truck/SUV
98.1
1
$34.34
$15.70
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Withamsville, OH
Afternoon
in Withamsville on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Lorain, OH
Afternoon
in Lorain on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 13 to 18 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
85°F
Delaware, OH
123 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
4h 50m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 59.2
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 50.7
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 219.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 84% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a major road change is 165.2 miles on I 71. You'll notice the density of exits and merging traffic as you approach and pass through urban areas. Expect a fairly continuous flow of traffic for the bulk of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.2 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Circle Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 29 significant decision points across 245.3 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,265 ft608 ft
Total Climb
831 ft
Total Descent
1,103 ft
Highest Point
1,265 ft
~157.7 mi in
Elevation Range
657 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Withamsville, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon, Wheeling and Wooster.
Lorain is a city of 64,000 people (2019) 30 miles west of Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. A former industrial center for shipbuilding, auto manufacturing, and steel, like other Rust Belt cities, the city faces population decline and urban decay.
Top landmarks
•Lorain West Breakwater Light — lighthouse in Ohio, United States
•Lorain Palace Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Lorain, Ohio, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 245.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Lorain, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lorain, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
