This 170.8-mile drive from Lorain to Northridge, Ohio, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. Primarily using I-71 and US-36, about 70% of this route involves highway driving, making it a fairly direct journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for a short getaway. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stop.
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
85.4 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 170.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 170.8-mile journey, with 70% of the drive taking place on interstates and major roads like I-71 and US-36. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.6 miles on I-71, offering a consistent pace. While the highway provides efficiency, be prepared for transitions as you navigate onto roads like Marysville Road. This route offers a practical blend of faster highway segments and more localized road travel, keeping the drive engaging.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 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 72.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 36. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near SR 83 / Avon Belden Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 26.9 miles (SR 83 / Avon Lake Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These 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
5
26.9 mi into trip|~37m in|SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Lake Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
39.2 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
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 131
Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
6
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 36; SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36; SR 4 toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfi...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lorain, OH and Northridge, OH, road signs point toward Delaware and Springfield.
Delaware
112.1 mi in|~2h 11m
Springfield
139.1 mi in|~2h 44m|via US 36; SR 4
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
72.6 mi
1h 17m
US 36
31.8 mi
38m
Marysville Road
14.3 mi
16m
Avon Lake Road
13.1 mi
15m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi
9m
State Route 37 East
5.8 mi
7m
Avon Belden Road
4.2 mi
4m
Grafton Road
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 72.6 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Northridge, 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
73 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 131Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, DelawareUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 36; SR 37
5.8 mi·7 min·State Route 37 East
26
Continue on US 36; SR 37
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
27
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
2.4 mi·2 min·East William Street
28
Continue on US 36
14 mi·16 min·Marysville Road
29
Take the exit onto US 36
3.3 mi·4 min·US 36
30
Take the exit onto US 36; SR 4
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 36; SR 4
Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36; SR 4
28 mi·33 min·US 36; SR 4
Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield
32
Turn right onto SR 334
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 334
33
Turn right onto Derr Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Derr Road
34
Turn right onto Curtis Drive
205 ft·10 sec·Curtis Drive
35
Turn right onto Westmont Drive
0.2 mi·47 sec·Westmont Drive
36
Arrive at destination
Westmont Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 23-minute drive, departing Lorain in the morning will allow you to reach Northridge with plenty of daylight. Given its relatively short distance, you can be flexible with stops; however, plan for at least one break to stay refreshed. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 72 miles on I-71, so consider a brief stop before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $27, and it's always wise to top off before heading out on longer highway portions.
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 85.4 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.6 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.4 miles or 1h 42m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northridge, 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 170.8 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 72.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.4 mi from Lorain, OH
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.4 miles from Lorain, 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 72.6 miles.
Arriving in Northridge, OH
The final approach into Northridge, 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 Northridge, 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 170.8
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 170.8
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
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 23.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.51 one way
$53.02 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$29.42
$58.84
premium
$4.91
$33.01
$66.02
diesel
$5.61
$37.71
$75.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.95
$6.83
EV Truck/SUV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lorain, OH
Night
in Lorain on Friday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Northridge, OH
Night
in Northridge on Friday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
85 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
4 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
3h 23m 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 Northridge, OH covers 170.8 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, US 36, Marysville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.4 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 $26.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 170.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.2 miles (SR 83 / Avon Belden Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 26.9 miles (SR 83 / Avon Lake Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Lorain, OH and Northridge, OH, road signs point toward Delaware and Springfield.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Dayton Aviation Heritage 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.
