Mei Japanese Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 5:30–9 pm
+15138916880
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
245.8 mi
396 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lorain, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Monfort Heights, OH
Choco Kitty
The drive from Lorain, OH to Monfort Heights, OH covers 245.8 miles and takes about 4h 45m 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, John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 189.3 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.15 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
122.9 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 4h 45m highway drive covering 245.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and Avon Lake Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 189.3 miles on I 71.
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 136 miles in near I 71.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 245.8 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 136 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 126: Ronald Reagan Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Cincinnati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 74 West, US 52 West, US 27 North: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West, US 52 West: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 189.3 mi | 3h 27m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Mill Creek Expressway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Avon Belden Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Grafton Road | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Northwest Expressway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Monfort Heights, OH.
Start on Hamilton Avenue
Turn left onto SR 611
Turn right onto SR 57
Turn left onto SR 57
Turn right onto SR 57
Continue on SR 57
Turn left onto SR 57; SR 113
Continue on SR 57
Continue on SR 57
Continue on SR 57
Turn right onto SR 57; SR 83
Enter roundabout onto SR 83; SR 303
Continue on SR 83; SR 303
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Enter roundabout onto SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Continue on SR 83
Take the exit
Merge onto I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 126
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 74; US 27; US 52
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Bend Road
Continue on West North Bend Road
Turn right onto Philoret Drive
Arrive at destination
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monfort Heights, OH than in the middle of the route.
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 245.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.9 mi from Lorain, OH · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.9 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 189.3 miles.
The final approach into Monfort Heights, 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 Monfort Heights, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Cincinnati, Ohio
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 5:30–9 pm
+15138916880
Dragon Land Chinese Restaurant
Worthington, Ohio
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Polaris, Ohio
Top Coffee Stop
Westerville, Ohio
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+16148390698
Near the end, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 5:30–9 pm
+15138916880
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Worthington, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+16148479991
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Polaris, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+16148851800
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+16148904775
Around the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm
+16144680500
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 5–9 pm
+15139848090
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Lewis Center, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16145053317
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Blue Ash, Ohio
Hours: 5–9 pm
+15139540041
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Westerville, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+16148390698
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Grove City, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+16149910911
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+16146622212
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Lorain, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+14402452563
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+16142025197
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Westerville, Ohio
+16149016500
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15135416366
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Regular Gas
$38.15 one way
$76.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $42.34 | $84.68 |
| premium | $4.91 | $47.51 | $95.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.27 | $108.54 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.81 | $11.80 |
| Efficient EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.51 | $9.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.3 | 1 | $34.41 | $15.73 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Lorain on Friday
Local time
12:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Monfort Heights on Friday
Local time
12:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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