The drive from Lima, OH to Cleveland, OH covers 217.2 miles and takes about 4h 20m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 77, SR 21, SR 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.9 miles on I 77.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.71 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
108.6 miles from Lima, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 217.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 20m highway drive covering 217.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 77 and SR 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 97.9 miles on I 77.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 97.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and SR 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in near US 50.
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 20 significant decision points across 217.2 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 37.7 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
37.7 mi into trip|~48m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
8
147 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 250
Take the exit onto US 250 toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
8
215.7 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward East 22nd Street, East 14th Street
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 162B
Toward East 22nd Street, East 14th Street
8
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward East 14th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward East 14th Street
7
217 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 6; US 20 / East Roadway
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20 / East Roadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lima, OH and Cleveland, OH, road signs point toward Beverly and Massillon.
Beverly
37.5 mi in|~48m|via US 50
Massillon
147 mi in|~2h 47m|via US 250
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
97.9 mi
1h 44m
SR 21
65.2 mi
1h 23m
SR 7
31.8 mi
38m
US 50
6.7 mi
8m
Corridor D
4.7 mi
5m
South Wooster Avenue
3.2 mi
3m
OH State Route 124
3.2 mi
4m
New Lima Road
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 97.9 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lima, OH and Cleveland, OH.
1
Start on C-3
1.3 mi·3 min·New Lima Road
2
Continue on C-3
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on SR 124
3.2 mi·4 min·OH State Route 124
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 7; SR 124
5.8 mi·7 min·SR 7; SR 124
5
Take the exit onto SR 7
0.5 mi·1 min·SR 7
Toward SR 7 North: Belpre
6
Turn left onto SR 7
25 mi·28 min·SR 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
8
Take the exit onto US 50
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 50
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
6.5 mi·8 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: ParkersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
4.7 mi·5 min·Corridor D
11
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
12
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
98 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 77; WV 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 250
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 250
Exit 87Toward US 250: Strasburg, MassillonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 250
3.2 mi·3 min·South Wooster Avenue
15
Continue on SR 21
65 mi·1 hr 23 min·SR 21
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 162BToward East 22nd Street, East 14th StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward East 14th StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto East 14th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·East 14th Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto East 14th Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·East 14th Street
20
Turn left onto Prospect Avenue East
0.3 mi·41 sec·Prospect Avenue East
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn right onto East 9th Street
523 ft·19 sec·East 9th Street
22
Turn left onto US 20
0.3 mi·1 min·Euclid Avenue
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20
518 ft·27 sec·East Roadway
Use the right lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20
513 ft·20 sec·Rockwell Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Frankfort Avenue
186 ft·6 sec·Frankfort Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Frankfort 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 108.6 miles from Lima, OH, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.9 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 48 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lima, 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 Lima, OH
This is one driving day of about 217.2 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Lima, 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 77 for about 97.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.6 mi from Lima, OH
· 2h 6m into the drive
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 194.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.71 one way
$67.42 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$37.41
$74.82
premium
$4.91
$41.98
$83.96
diesel
$5.61
$47.96
$95.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.81
$10.43
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
EV Truck/SUV
86.9
1
$30.41
$13.90
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lima, OH
Afternoon
in Lima on Friday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cleveland, OH
Afternoon
in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
West Chester, OH
109 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
14 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
4h 20m 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 Lima, OH to Cleveland, OH covers 217.2 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 77, SR 21, SR 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.6 miles from Lima, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.71 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 20 significant decision points across 217.2 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 37.7 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lima, OH and Cleveland, OH, road signs point toward Beverly and Massillon.
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.
