Franklin Furnace, OH to Lorain, OH is 238.8 miles and takes about 4h 51m via I 71, US 23, and Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's easily manageable in a single day. You'll be covering a good chunk of mileage, so be prepared for a solid few hours on the road. This route is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.4 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 238.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey on major roads like I 71 and US 23. Expect a fairly direct path with a longest uninterrupted stretch of 96.4 miles on I 71. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway might offer a slightly different driving experience. For the most part, you'll be on well-maintained, high-speed roads designed for covering distance. The character is less about winding country lanes and more about efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 43 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 96.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.6 miles in near US 23.
Driving Effort10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 238.8 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 57.6 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
7
94.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 West
8
96.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
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 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
199.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin Furnace, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling, Columbus and Wooster.
Wheeling
94.7 mi in|~2h
Columbus
96.9 mi in|~2h 4m
Wooster
199.2 mi in|~3h 57m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
96.4 mi
1h 45m
US 23
68 mi
1h 29m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.4 mi
17m
Avon Lake Road
13.3 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
US 52
6.6 mi
7m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 96.4 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin Furnace, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on C-268
76 ft·8 sec·Big Pete Road
2
Turn sharp right onto C-1
0.2 mi·39 sec·Gallia Pike
3
Continue on CR 1
139 ft·6 sec·Gallia Pike
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 52 West: Portsmouth
5
Merge onto US 52
6.6 mi·7 min·US 52
6
Take the exit onto SR 823
16 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward SR 823 North: Chillicothe
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 16Toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
8
Merge onto US 23
34 mi·45 min·US 23
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
34 mi·44 min·US 23
Toward US 23 North: ColumbusUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 23
2.6 mi·3 min·South High Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 270: Columbus, Wheeling
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 55Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 71
3.6 mi·4 min·South Freeway
17
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 204Toward SR 83: Lodi, WoosterUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 83
2.1 mi·3 min·Avon Lake Road
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Wooster Street
24
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi·1 min·Elyria Street
25
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi·10 min·Avon Lake Road
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
524 ft·8 sec·Avon Lake Road
27
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi·2 min·Avon Lake Road
28
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi·2 min·Avon Belden Road
29
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
78 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
30
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
229 ft·3 sec·Avon Belden Road
31
Enter roundabout onto SR 57; SR 83
139 ft·1 sec·Avon Belden Road
32
Continue on SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi·1 min·Avon Belden Road
33
Turn left onto SR 57
1.6 mi·1 min·Grafton Road
34
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi·2 min·Grafton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on SR 57
6.6 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto SR 57
2.9 mi·4 min·Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi·2 min·Grove Avenue
39
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi·3 min·East 28th Street
40
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi·47 sec·Broadway
41
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi·1 min·West 21st Street
42
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·Hamilton Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Hamilton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 51m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Franklin Furnace is ideal to ensure you arrive in Lorain with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically along I 71, perhaps midway through that 96.4-mile stretch. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, as opportunities for refueling might be more spaced out on the longer highway sections. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on your morning plans.
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 119.4 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 53 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Franklin Furnace, 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 Franklin Furnace, OH
This is one driving day of about 238.8 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Franklin Furnace, 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 96.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.4 mi from Franklin Furnace, OH
· 2h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 119.4 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.4 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 56
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 208.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.06 one way
$74.12 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$41.13
$82.26
premium
$4.91
$46.15
$92.30
diesel
$5.61
$52.72
$105.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.43
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Franklin Furnace, OH
Late night
in Franklin Furnace on Saturday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lorain, OH
Late night
in Lorain on Saturday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
5 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
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Franklin Furnace, OH to Lorain, OH covers 238.8 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, US 23, Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.4 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.06 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 238.8 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 57.6 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Franklin Furnace, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling, Columbus and Wooster.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and 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.
