Origin
Lorain, OH
Late night in Lorain on Friday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lorain, OH to Jefferson, OH
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
152.5 mi
245 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lorain, OH to Jefferson, OH covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 2m 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, Southeast Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.4 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.67 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 2m highway drive covering 152.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and Avon Lake Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.4 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 35 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 95.4 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 22.2 miles in near SR 83 / Avon Belden Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 152.5 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 22.2 miles (SR 83 / Avon Belden Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 134.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
22.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
134.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 107
Toward I 70 East: Wheeling
7
138.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 33 East: Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 105A
Toward US 33 East: Lancaster
6
139.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
US 33 / Southeast Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 33 / Southeast Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
148.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward Hill Road, Diley Road
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 139
Toward Hill Road, Diley Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 95.4 mi | 1h 43m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Southeast Expressway | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Avon Belden Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Grafton Road | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| East Freeway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Lorain Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 95.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Jefferson, OH.
1
Start on Hamilton Avenue
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Hamilton Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 611
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 21st Street
3
Turn right onto SR 57
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Broadway
4
Turn left onto SR 57
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 28th Street
5
Turn right onto SR 57
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Grove Avenue
6
Continue on SR 57
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Lorain Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto SR 57; SR 113
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on SR 57
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grafton Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on SR 57
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on SR 57
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Grafton Road
11
Turn right onto SR 57; SR 83
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Avon Belden Road
12
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
13
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
231 ft
·
3 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
14
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
129 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avon Belden Road
15
Continue on SR 83
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Avon Belden Road
16
Continue on SR 83
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Avon Lake Road
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
392 ft
·
6 sec
·
Avon Lake Road
18
Continue on SR 83
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Avon Lake Road
19
Continue on SR 83
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Elyria Street
20
Continue on SR 83
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wooster Street
21
Continue on SR 83
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Avon Lake Road
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
23
Merge onto I 71
95 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 107
Toward I 70 East: Wheeling
Use the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto I 70
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 105A
Toward US 33 East: Lancaster
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on US 33
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
College Avenue
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 33
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 33
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 139
Toward Hill Road, Diley Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto CR 18
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Diley Road
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on CR 18
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Hill Road Northwest
33
Turn left onto Waterloo Road Northwest
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Waterloo Road Northwest
34
Turn left onto CR 23
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Winchester Road Northwest
35
Arrive at destination
CR 23
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 76.3 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.4 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lorain, 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 Lorain, OH
This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lorain, 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 95.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Lorain, OH · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Lorain, 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 95.4 miles.
Arriving in Jefferson, OH
The final approach into Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.67 one way
$47.34 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $26.27 | $52.53 |
| premium | $4.91 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.67 | $67.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.01 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.34 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.35 | $9.76 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Jefferson, OH
Late night in Jefferson on Friday
Local time
12:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
76 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
11 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
3h 2m 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 Lorain, OH to Jefferson, OH covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Avon Lake Road, Southeast Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Lorain, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.67 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 152.5 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 22.2 miles (SR 83 / Avon Belden Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 134.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lorain, OH to Jefferson, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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