Origin
Laurel, OH
Morning in Laurel on Wednesday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laurel, OH to Lorain, OH
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
247.9 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laurel, OH
Wyxina Tresse
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Laurel, OH to Lorain, OH covers 247.9 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 71, Avon Lake Road, US 50 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 151.4 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.47 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
124 miles from Laurel, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 247.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and Avon Lake Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 151.4 miles on I 71.
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 151.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Avon Lake Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.7 miles in near I 71.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 247.9 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 110.7 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
110.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
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 I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
6
113.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
208.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
208.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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.
Between Laurel, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Wooster.
Wheeling
110.7 mi in
|
~2h 30m
|
via I 71
Wooster
208.4 mi in
|
~4h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 151.4 mi | 2h 45m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| US 50 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| Cuba Avenue | 11.5 mi | 18m |
| Apple Street | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| State Route 222 | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Xenia Avenue | 4.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 151.4 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel, OH and Lorain, OH.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto SR 232
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 232
3
Turn left onto Laurel Nicholsville Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Laurel Nicholsville Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 222
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 222
5
Turn left onto SR 125; SR 222
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 125
6
Turn right onto SR 222
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 222
7
Continue on SR 222
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Riverside Drive
8
Continue on SR 132
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 132
9
Turn left onto SR 132; SR 276
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
SR 132; SR 276
10
Turn right onto US 50
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Main Street
11
Continue on US 50
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 50
12
Turn left onto US 68
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Apple Street
13
Turn slight right onto US 68
11 mi
·
18 min
·
Cuba Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 68
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Xenia Avenue
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
16
Merge onto I 71
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Use 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 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use 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 204
Toward SR 83: Lodi, Wooster
Use 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
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 124 miles from Laurel, OH, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 80 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Laurel, 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 Laurel, OH
This is one driving day of about 247.9 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Laurel, 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 151.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124 mi from Laurel, OH · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Laurel, 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 151.4 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.47 one way
$76.95 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $42.70 | $85.40 |
| premium | $4.91 | $47.91 | $95.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.73 | $109.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.69 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.71 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Lorain, OH
Morning in Lorain on Wednesday
Local time
6:31 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
3 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
5h 11m 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 Laurel, OH to Lorain, OH covers 247.9 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Avon Lake Road, US 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124 miles from Laurel, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.47 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 26 significant decision points across 247.9 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 110.7 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Laurel, OH and Lorain, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Wooster.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lorain, OH
More from Laurel, OH
More trips to Lorain, OH
Explore more options from Laurel, OH or browse trips ending in Lorain, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.
Explore maps for Laurel, OH or Lorain, OH on MapSof.net.