Origin
Cleveland, OH
Evening in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
7:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cleveland, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
139.6 mi
225 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Buckeye Lake, OH
Quang Vuong
Trip Overview
Cleveland to Buckeye Lake is 139.6 miles and takes about 2h 52m via I 71 and SR 13, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Ohio, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive perfect for a single-day trip. You'll mainly be on interstate for a significant portion, making it a quick journey if you're looking to get to Buckeye Lake efficiently. Consider this trip when you want a simple, direct drive with minimal fuss.
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
69.8 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 139.6 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 (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with about 80% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on I 71, covering 78.4 miles, which means a good portion of your time will be spent on the interstate. The route transitions from I 71 to SR 13 and Mount Vernon Road, offering a slight change of pace as you near your destination. Expect a generally efficient drive with the main roads providing a consistent travel experience for most of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and SR 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 139.6 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles: 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 pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
8
80.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
7
128.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward SR 16 West, SR 79 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 16 West, SR 79 South: Columbus
7
128.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
SR 79
Take the exit onto SR 79 toward SR 79 South: Heath, 11th Street
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 SR 79 South: Heath, 11th Street
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 Cleveland, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield along the way.
Mansfield
80.3 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 78.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| SR 13 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| Mount Vernon Road | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Newark Road | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| SR 79 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| North Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Hebron Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Innerbelt | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Buckeye Lake, OH.
1
Start on Frankfort Avenue
156 ft
·
12 sec
·
Frankfort Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
339 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Superior Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 6; US 20
503 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Roadway
5
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn slight right
359 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 90 West, SR 10 West
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
8
Merge onto Innerbelt
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
Innerbelt
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 71
Exit 170B
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 169
Toward SR 13: Bellville, Mansfield
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto SR 13
23 mi
·
28 min
·
SR 13
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto SR 13
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Mulberry Street
16
Turn left onto SR 13
378 ft
·
4 sec
·
Phillips Drive
17
Turn right onto SR 13
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Continue on SR 13
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Newark Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on SR 13
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
20
Continue on SR 13
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Mount Vernon Road
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward SR 16 West, SR 79 South: Columbus
22
Merge onto SR 16; SR 79
428 ft
·
5 sec
·
SR 16; SR 79
23
Take the exit onto SR 79
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
SR 79
Toward SR 79 South: Heath, 11th Street
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on SR 79
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hebron Road
25
Turn left onto Union Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Union Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave Cleveland at your leisure. The recommended fuel cost is around $22, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or plan for one stop. Since the longest stretch without a significant change is 78.4 miles on I 71, be mindful of your fuel levels as you approach that segment. There's only one designated stop, so plan accordingly for any rest or food needs before you begin or as you transition to SR 13.
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 69.8 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.8 miles or 1h 19m 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 Buckeye Lake, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH
This is one driving day of about 139.6 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Cleveland, 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 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.8 mi from Cleveland, OH · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.8 miles from Cleveland, 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 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Buckeye Lake, OH
The final approach into Buckeye Lake, 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 Buckeye Lake, 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
$21.67 one way
$43.33 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $24.05 | $48.09 |
| premium | $4.91 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.82 | $61.64 |
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: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.66 | $6.70 |
| Efficient EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.21 | $5.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.54 | $8.93 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Buckeye Lake, OH
Evening in Buckeye Lake on Friday
Local time
7:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
70 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 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
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 Cleveland, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH covers 139.6 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, SR 13, Mount Vernon 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 69.8 miles from Cleveland, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.67 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 139.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cleveland, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Buckeye Lake, OH
More trips to Buckeye Lake, OH
Explore more options from Cleveland, OH or browse trips ending in Buckeye Lake, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.