Fairfield Beach, OH to Lorain, OH is 136.7 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 71 and local roads, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest region, specifically traversing Ohio for its entire duration. Expect a drive that involves a mix of highway cruising and more involved local navigation, making it an engaging, albeit turn-heavy, journey. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is ideal for a straightforward trip between these two Ohio locations.
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
68.3 miles from Fairfield Beach, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 136.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with 37% of the journey on highways. While you'll spend some time on I 71, the longest uninterrupted stretch is a manageable 34.9 miles. The character of the drive shifts between faster highway sections and more frequent turns on local roads like Cassell Road and Avon Lake Road. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention as you navigate through various road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 53 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 34.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 27 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39 miles in near SR 13 / East Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.7 miles you will encounter 27 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 39 miles (SR 13 / East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.2 miles (SR 13 / North Sandusky Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
39 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|SR 13 / East Chestnut Street
Turn left onto SR 13 / East Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
39.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|SR 13 / North Sandusky Street
Turn right onto SR 13 / North Sandusky Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Turn left toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 169
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
6
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Turn left onto SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Fairfield Beach, OH to Lorain, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wooster along the way.
Wooster
97.1 mi in|~2h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
34.9 mi
37m
Cassell Road
16 mi
18m
Avon Lake Road
13.3 mi
15m
Mount Vernon Road
12.6 mi
18m
Newark Road
10.1 mi
15m
SR 13
9.7 mi
14m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
Riverside Drive
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 34.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield Beach, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on Laurel Road Northeast
0.1 mi·33 sec·Laurel Road Northeast
2
Continue on Laural Road
424 ft·22 sec·Laural Road
3
Turn left onto Mall Drive
134 ft·8 sec·Mall Drive
4
Turn right onto Maple Road Northeast
0.1 mi·27 sec·Maple Road Northeast
5
Turn left
342 ft·15 sec
6
Turn slight left onto CR 3
0.5 mi·1 min·Fairfield Beach Road Northeast
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 1
0.1 mi·22 sec·Custers Point Road Northeast
8
Turn right onto CR 59
1.4 mi·3 min·Zartman Road
9
Turn left onto CR 87
0.4 mi·1 min·Roberts Road
10
Turn right onto CR 2
1.1 mi·2 min·Honey Creek Road N West
11
Continue on CR 2
0.3 mi·48 sec·Honey Creek Road Northwest
12
Turn left onto CR 30
101 ft·6 sec·Zion Road
13
Turn left onto SR 13
9.3 mi·14 min·SR 13
14
Continue on SR 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·West National Drive
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto SR 13
0.5 mi·44 sec·South 4th Street
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 13
87 ft·1 sec·North 4th Street
17
Continue on SR 13
467 ft·7 sec·North 4th Street
18
Enter roundabout onto SR 13
94 ft·1 sec·North 4th Street
19
Continue on SR 13
459 ft·9 sec·North 4th Street
20
Continue on SR 13
13 mi·18 min·Mount Vernon Road
21
Continue on SR 13
1.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
22
Continue on SR 13
10 mi·15 min·Newark Road
23
Continue on SR 13
0.3 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto SR 13
0.4 mi·42 sec·SR 13
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto SR 13
0.3 mi·53 sec·East Chestnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto SR 13
1.4 mi·1 min·North Sandusky Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on SR 13
16 mi·18 min·Cassell Road
28
Continue on SR 13; SR 97
5.3 mi·7 min·Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 169Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the left lane.
30
Merge onto I 71
35 mi·37 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 204Toward SR 83: Lodi, WoosterUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi·3 min·Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
34
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
35
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
36
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
37
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
38
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
39
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
40
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
41
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
42
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
43
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
44
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
47
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
48
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
49
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
50
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
51
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
52
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
53
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 4m duration, departing Fairfield Beach in the morning allows ample time to reach Lorain well before evening. The route has only one suggested stop, so you can choose to make that a brief break or push through if you prefer. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave, as the longest stretch without a major highway change is 34.9 miles. Pay close attention to road signs as you transition between I 71 and the local roads, particularly on Cassell Road and Avon Lake Road, to ensure you stay on course.
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 68.3 miles from Fairfield Beach, OH, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.9 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 30 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 30m
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 Fairfield Beach, 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 Fairfield Beach, OH
This is one driving day of about 136.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Fairfield Beach, 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 34.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.3 mi from Fairfield Beach, OH
· 1h 39m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.22 one way
$42.43 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$23.55
$47.09
premium
$4.91
$26.42
$52.84
diesel
$5.61
$30.18
$60.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41
0
$14.35
$6.56
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.96
$5.47
EV Truck/SUV
54.7
0
$19.14
$8.75
Gas CO2
48 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Fairfield Beach, OH
Morning
in Fairfield Beach on Friday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lorain, OH
Morning
in Lorain on Friday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
68 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
12 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
3h 4m 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 Fairfield Beach, OH to Lorain, OH covers 136.7 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Cassell Road, Avon Lake Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.3 miles from Fairfield Beach, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 136.7 miles you will encounter 27 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 39 miles (SR 13 / East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.2 miles (SR 13 / North Sandusky Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fairfield Beach, OH to Lorain, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wooster 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
