Cleveland to Chatham is 123.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m via I 71 and SR 13, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Ohio. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. Expect a smooth journey with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking for an easy transit between these two points without significant detours.
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
61.6 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78.4 mi
1h 25m
SR 13
23.3 mi
28m
Newark Road
10.1 mi
15m
Mount Vernon Road
5.7 mi
8m
St Joseph Road Northeast
1.5 mi
5m
North Main Street
1 mi
2m
Innerbelt
0.6 mi
<1m
Ontario Street
0.5 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 Chatham, 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 170BToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse 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 169Toward SR 13: Bellville, MansfieldUse 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
5.7 mi·8 min·Mount Vernon Road
21
Turn right onto St Joseph Road Northeast
1.5 mi·5 min·St Joseph Road Northeast
22
At end of road, turn right onto SR 657
298 ft·9 sec·Marion Road Northeast
23
Turn right onto Preston Road
459 ft·20 sec·Preston Road
24
Arrive at destination
Preston Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 2h 33m, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Cleveland anytime in the morning should allow ample time to reach Chatham well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $19, planning your fuel and rest breaks is straightforward. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 71 to SR 13, as this marks a change in the road type and potentially your driving pace for the remainder of the trip.
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 61.6 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 1h 10m 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chatham, 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 123.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 80.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.4 mi into trip|~14m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.14 one way
$38.27 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$21.24
$42.48
premium
$4.91
$23.83
$47.66
diesel
$5.61
$27.22
$54.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37
0
$12.95
$5.92
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.79
$4.93
EV Truck/SUV
49.3
0
$17.26
$7.89
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, OH
Afternoon
in Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
2:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chatham, OH
Afternoon
in Chatham on Saturday
Local time
2:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
62 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 33m 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.
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 25.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 82% of the drive on faster roads, giving it a distinct highway-focused profile. You'll experience a significant stretch of 78.4 miles on I 71, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. As you transition to SR 13 and Newark Road, the character may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains one of efficient travel. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination with consistent speeds.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 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 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 123.3 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 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 3.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chatham, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield along the way.
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 123.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Chatham, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 3.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chatham, OH before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
