Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
132.9 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
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
Buckeye Lake, OH
Quang Vuong
This 132.9-mile drive from Lorain, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-71, with some sections on SR 13 and Avon Lake Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this journey through the Midwest is budget-friendly. You'll find plenty of flexibility for stops, given the relatively short duration. Consider this a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two Ohio locations.
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
66.4 miles from Lorain, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 132.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
You'll experience a drive that's 56% highway, featuring a significant 34.1-mile stretch on I-71, which provides a consistent pace. The route then transitions to SR 13 and Avon Lake Road, introducing a more mixed driving character. Expect a blend of faster highway segments and potentially more local road driving as you get closer to your destination. This varied profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire journey.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
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 132.9 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 73.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles (SR 13 / West Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto SR 83 / Avon Belden Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward SR 13: Bellville, Mansfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto SR 13 / West Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 16 West, SR 79 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto SR 79 toward SR 79 South: Heath, 11th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lorain, OH to Buckeye Lake, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield along the way.
Mansfield
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 34.1 mi | 36m |
| SR 13 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| Avon Lake Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Mount Vernon Road | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Newark Road | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| SR 79 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Avon Belden Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain, OH and Buckeye Lake, 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
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 13
Turn left onto SR 13
Turn right onto North Mulberry Street
Turn left onto SR 13
Turn right onto SR 13
Continue on SR 13
Continue on SR 13
Continue on SR 13
Take the exit
Merge onto SR 16; SR 79
Take the exit onto SR 79
Continue on SR 79
Turn left onto Union Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the drive's duration of under three hours, it's ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to leave Lorain, OH at your leisure. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $21, you can be flexible with your timing. Pay attention to the transitions between I-71 and the state routes, as road conditions and speed limits may change. A good tip for this route is to be mindful of the 34.1-mile stretch on I-71; ensure you have enough fuel before entering this longer, more continuous highway segment.
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.
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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckeye Lake, 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 132.9 miles and 2h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.4 mi from Lorain, OH · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.4 miles from Lorain, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Buckeye Lake, 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 Buckeye Lake, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.63 one way
$41.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| premium | $4.91 | $25.69 | $51.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.34 | $58.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Lorain on Thursday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Buckeye Lake on Thursday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
68°F
Mansfield, OH
66 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
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
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.
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