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Trip from Lorain, OH to Thompson, OH

Data updated 9 minutes ago

Drive Time

1h 36m

Distance

74.2 mi

119 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

22 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lorain, OH, OH

Lorain, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Thompson, OH, OH

Thompson, OH

WoodysMedia

Trip Overview

This straightforward 74.2-mile drive from Lorain, OH to Thompson, OH is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like I-90, the Northwest Freeway, and the Lakeland Freeway, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. You can expect a modest fuel cost of around $12 for this journey. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this trip is best tackled in one go, offering a practical way to travel between these two Midwest locations without needing an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

37.1 miles from Lorain, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for 75% of this 74.2-mile journey. The bulk of your travel will be on I-90, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 28.2 miles. While the route is largely on freeways, the Northwest Freeway and Lakeland Freeway segments will keep you moving efficiently. This drive is characterized by consistent speeds and straightforward navigation, making it a predictable and manageable trip for most drivers.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 74.2 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 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
7.8 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the ramp toward I 90 East, SR 2 East: Cleveland

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 90 East, SR 2 East: Cleveland
5
8.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway

Merge onto I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
26.5 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 90

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
8
41.5 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 90 / Euclid Spur

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 / Euclid Spur toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA
6
69 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Take the exit toward SR 528: Madison, Thompson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 212 Toward SR 528: Madison, Thompson

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 28.2 mi 32m
Northwest Freeway 18.4 mi 22m
Lakeland Freeway 8.8 mi 10m
Colorado Avenue 5.7 mi 10m
South Madison Road 4.8 mi 7m
Euclid Spur 3.8 mi 5m
Cleveland Memorial Shoreway 1.7 mi 2m
Henderson Drive 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 28.2 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Thompson, 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

Continue on SR 611

1.2 mi · 2 min · Henderson Drive
4

Turn right onto SR 611

5.7 mi · 10 min · Colorado Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 90 East, SR 2 East: Cleveland
6

Merge onto I 90; SR 2

18 mi · 22 min · Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90

4.6 mi · 6 min · I 90
Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 90; SR 2

1.7 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Memorial Shoreway
9

Continue on I 90; SR 2

8.8 mi · 10 min · Lakeland Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90

3.8 mi · 5 min · Euclid Spur
Toward I 90 East, I 271 South: Erie PA Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on I 271

24 mi · 26 min · I 90
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 212 Toward SR 528: Madison, Thompson
13

Turn right onto SR 528

182 ft · 4 sec · River Street
14

Continue on SR 528

4.8 mi · 7 min · South Madison Road
15

Turn right onto SR 528

96 ft · 4 sec · Thompson Road
16

Arrive at destination

SR 528

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 36-minute drive, departing mid-morning should help you avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic. With only 74.2 miles to cover, you have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed, though none are specifically noted on this route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 28.2-mile stretch on I-90, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The $12 fuel cost is a good estimate for planning your budget on this quick trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.1 miles from Lorain, OH, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 74.2 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.1 miles or 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson, 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 74.2 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lorain, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 28.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.1 mi from Lorain, OH · 51m into the drive

city of Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farrell, PA

37 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

Mina, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farrell, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.1 miles from Lorain, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Thompson, OH

The final approach into Thompson, 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 Thompson, 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.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 25.6
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.52 one way

$23.03 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $12.78 $25.56
premium $4.91 $14.34 $28.68
diesel $5.61 $16.38 $32.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Menards Avon 3357 (Avon, OH)

Avon, OH

Electrify America

12 DCFC

Wyndham Cleveland Airport - Tesla Supercharger

Cleveland, OH

Tesla

12 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

Sheffield, OH

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, OH

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sycamore Suites

Elyria, OH

UNIVERSAL

6 DCFC

Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Avon

Avon, OH

RED_E

6 DCFC

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland Airport West

North Olmsted, OH

UNIVERSAL

6 DCFC

Sheffield Crossing Station (Sheffield, OH)

Sheffield, OH

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 FLO: 3 Tesla: 3 UNIVERSAL: 2 Blink Network: 2 Electrify America: 2 eVgo Network: 2 EV Connect: 2 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.3 0 $7.79 $3.56
Efficient EV 18.6 0 $6.49 $2.97
EV Truck/SUV 29.7 0 $10.39 $4.75

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Lorain, OH

Late night in Lorain on Wednesday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 13 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Destination

Thompson, OH

Late night in Thompson on Wednesday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

25 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

1h 36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Thompson, OH covers 74.2 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, Northwest Freeway, Lakeland Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.1 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 $11.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 74.2 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 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 90; SR 2 / Northwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lorain, OH to Thompson, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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