Trip from Caldwell, OH to Lorain, OH

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

145.5 mi

234 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 41m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Caldwell, OH, OH

Caldwell, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Downtown Lorain, OH, OH

Lorain, OH

Marcella Soáres

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Caldwell to Lorain, expect a straightforward journey covering 145.5 miles. You will spend about 2 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day drive that requires no overnight stops. Budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance across Ohio. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is consistent and familiar. This route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, providing a practical connection for those looking to reach the shores of Lake Erie from the southeastern part of the state.

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

72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused trip utilizes a combination of I-77, US-250, and Avon Lake Road to navigate through the state. With roughly 67% of your travel time spent on highways, you can maintain a steady pace for the majority of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, lasting for 62.2 miles on I-77. As you transition off the interstate and onto US-250 and Avon Lake Road, the driving experience shifts from high-speed transit to local road navigation. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 62.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and US 250. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.5 miles you will encounter 19 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 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 77 North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 77 North
5
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
63.5 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | US 250

Take the exit onto US 250 toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon

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 87 Toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
6
118.5 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | SR 83 / Avon Lake Road

Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Lake Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
123.3 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | SR 57; SR 83 / Avon Belden Road

Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83 / Avon Belden Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Caldwell, OH to Lorain, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Massillon along the way.

Massillon

63.5 mi in | ~1h 9m | via US 250

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 77 62.2 mi 1h 6m
US 250 28.1 mi 32m
Avon Lake Road 13.8 mi 16m
Burbank Road 10.3 mi 11m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway 6.6 mi 9m
Avon Belden Road 4.2 mi 4m
Grafton Road 3.8 mi 4m
South Wooster Avenue 3.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 77 — 62.2 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, OH and Lorain, OH.

1

Start on North Street

56 ft · 9 sec · North Street
2

Continue on SR 821

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West Street
3

Turn straight onto SR 821

0.6 mi · 1 min · Marietta Road
4

Turn right onto SR 78

0.4 mi · 40 sec · McConnelsville Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 77 North
6

Merge onto I 77

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 77
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 250

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 250
Exit 87 Toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn left onto US 250

3.2 mi · 3 min · South Wooster Avenue
9

Turn left onto US 250

22 mi · 25 min · US 250
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 250

5.7 mi · 6 min · US 250
11

Continue on SR 83

1.2 mi · 1 min · Burbank Road
12

Enter roundabout onto SR 83

115 ft · 1 sec · Burbank Road
13

Continue on SR 83

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Burbank Road
14

Enter roundabout

122 ft · 1 sec
15

Continue

251 ft · 3 sec
16

Turn straight onto SR 83

8.9 mi · 10 min · Burbank Road
17

Continue on SR 83

0.4 mi · 30 sec · N Front Street
18

Continue on SR 83

2.6 mi · 4 min · Avon Lake Road
19

Continue on SR 83

0.9 mi · 1 min · Wooster Street
20

Continue on SR 83

0.5 mi · 1 min · Elyria Street
21

Continue on SR 83

8.9 mi · 10 min · Avon Lake Road
22

Enter roundabout onto SR 83

524 ft · 8 sec · Avon Lake Road
23

Continue on SR 83

2.2 mi · 2 min · Avon Lake Road
24

Continue on SR 83

2.5 mi · 2 min · Avon Belden Road
25

Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303

78 ft · 1 sec · Avon Belden Road
26

Continue on SR 83; SR 303

229 ft · 3 sec · Avon Belden Road
27

Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83

139 ft · 1 sec · Avon Belden Road
28

Continue on SR 57; SR 83

1.5 mi · 1 min · Avon Belden Road
29

Turn left onto SR 57

1.6 mi · 1 min · Grafton Road
30

Continue on SR 57

2.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Continue on SR 57

2.3 mi · 2 min · Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Continue on SR 57

6.6 mi · 9 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left / none lanes.
33

Turn right onto SR 57

2.9 mi · 4 min · Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34

Continue on SR 57

1.5 mi · 2 min · Grove Avenue
35

Turn left onto SR 57

2.3 mi · 3 min · East 28th Street
36

Turn right onto SR 57

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Broadway
37

Turn left onto SR 611

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 21st Street
38

Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Hamilton Avenue
39

Arrive at destination

Hamilton Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the total duration of under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, which will help keep you refreshed as you transition from the interstate to local roads. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $22, consider topping off your tank in Caldwell before heading north to avoid fluctuating prices along the way. Keep a close watch on your navigation as you move from the initial 62.2-mile stretch on I-77 onto US-250. Because the route is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon session without feeling rushed.

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 72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.7 miles or 1h 20m 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 15m

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 Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, OH

This is one driving day of about 145.5 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Caldwell, 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 77 for about 62.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.7 mi from Caldwell, OH · 1h 20m into the drive

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

73 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

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mechanicsburg, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.2 miles.

Arriving in Lorain, OH

The final approach into Lorain, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lorain, OH.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.76 one way

$43.52 round trip

$3.80/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.24 $24.30 $48.60
premium $4.79 $27.44 $54.88
diesel $5.64 $32.33 $64.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.7 0 $15.28 $6.98
Efficient EV 36.4 0 $12.73 $5.82
EV Truck/SUV 58.2 0 $20.37 $9.31

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Caldwell, OH

Evening in Caldwell on Sunday

Local time

8:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lorain, OH

Evening in Lorain on Sunday

Local time

8:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

54°F

Mansfield, OH

73 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

11 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

2h 51m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Caldwell, OH to Lorain, OH covers 145.5 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 77, US 250, Avon Lake Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.7 miles from Caldwell, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.5 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Caldwell, OH to Lorain, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Massillon along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Lorain, OH to Caldwell, OH

Plan the drive back the other way.

145.9 mi 2h 52m

Explore more options from Caldwell, OH or browse trips ending in Lorain, OH.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.

Explore maps for Caldwell, OH or Lorain, OH on MapSof.net.