The drive from Cleveland, OH to West Lafayette, OH covers 104.1 miles and takes about 2h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Route 21, Willow Freeway, I 77 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.1 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 104.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 12m highway drive covering 104.1 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. 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 14 significant decision points across 104.1 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 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (SR 21 / State Route 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These 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.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|SR 10
Take the ramp onto SR 10 toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
6
27.9 mi into trip|~36m in|SR 21 / State Route 21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21 / State Route 21
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 250
Take the exit onto US 250
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 36: Port Washington, Newcomerstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 65
Toward US 36: Port Washington, Newcomerstown
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 West Lafayette, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Newcomerstown along the way.
Newcomerstown
91.7 mi in|~1h 55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 21
28.7 mi
35m
Willow Freeway
26 mi
31m
I 77
15.7 mi
16m
US 36
10.7 mi
13m
US 62
9.8 mi
15m
US 250
9.6 mi
11m
SR 93
1.4 mi
2m
Ontario Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Route 21
— 28.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and West Lafayette, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.7 mi·1 min·Orange Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp onto SR 10
0.2 mi·27 sec·SR 10
Toward I 77 South, I 490: AkronUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 77; SR 10
26 mi·31 min·Willow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21
29 mi·35 min·State Route 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Turn straight onto US 62; SR 21
9.8 mi·15 min·US 62; SR 21
11
Continue on US 250
3.0 mi·3 min·US 250
12
Take the exit onto US 250
6.6 mi·7 min·US 250
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
16 mi·16 min·I 77
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 65Toward US 36: Port Washington, Newcomerstown
15
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft·5 sec
16
Turn right onto US 36
11 mi·13 min·US 36
17
Turn left onto SR 93
1.4 mi·2 min·SR 93
18
Turn left onto SR 93
52 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
SR 93
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.1 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Lafayette, 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 104.1 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cleveland, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 21 for about 28.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.1 mi from Cleveland, OH
· 1h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 52.1 miles from Cleveland, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Lafayette, OH
The final approach into West Lafayette, 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 West Lafayette, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Sisters Century House Restaurant
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Canal Fulton, Ohio
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 44.6
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.16 one way
$32.31 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$17.93
$35.86
premium
$4.91
$20.12
$40.24
diesel
$5.61
$22.98
$45.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Efficient EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.16
EV Truck/SUV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, OH
Night
in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
11:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Lafayette, OH
Night
in West Lafayette on Friday
Local time
11:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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 12m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cleveland, OH to West Lafayette, OH covers 104.1 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 21, Willow Freeway, I 77. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.1 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 $16.16 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 104.1 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 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (SR 21 / State Route 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cleveland, OH to West Lafayette, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Newcomerstown along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
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.
