How far is Lorain, OH from Sterling, OH?
The driving distance from Lorain, OH to Sterling, OH is about 47 miles (75.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lorain and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain and Sterling.
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1
Start on Hamilton Avenue
720 ft · 37 sec · Hamilton Avenue
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2
Turn left onto West 21st Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West 21st Street
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3
Turn right onto Broadway
2392 ft · 47 sec · Broadway
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4
Turn left onto East 28th Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East 28th Street
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5
Turn right onto Grove Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Grove Avenue
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6
Continue on Lorain Boulevard
2.9 mi · 4 min · Lorain Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.6 mi · 10 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
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8
Continue on Grafton Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Grafton Road
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9
Continue on Main Street
2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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10
Continue on Grafton Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Grafton Road
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11
Turn right onto Avon Belden Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Avon Belden Road
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Medina-Elyria Road
54 m · 2 sec · Medina-Elyria Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Medina-Elyria Road
2.1 mi · 2 min · Medina-Elyria Road
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14
Continue on Medina-Elyria Road
2.8 mi · 3 min · Medina-Elyria Road
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15
Continue on Elyria Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Elyria Road
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16
Continue on Spieth Road
1.2 km · 53 sec · Spieth Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Columbia Road
7 m · 1 sec · Columbia Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Columbia Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Columbia Road
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19
Turn left onto Norwalk Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Norwalk Road
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20
Continue on West Liberty Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Liberty Street
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21
Turn right onto South Elmwood Avenue
123 m · 11 sec · South Elmwood Avenue
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22
Turn left onto West Washington Street
560 ft · 11 sec · West Washington Street
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23
Turn right onto South Court Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Court Street
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24
Continue on Wooster Pike / South Court Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Wooster Pike / South Court Street
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Wooster Pike
39 m · 2 sec · Wooster Pike
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Wooster Pike
5.6 mi · 8 min · Wooster Pike
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27
Continue on Center Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Center Street
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28
Turn straight onto Milton Street
1694 ft · 47 sec · Milton Street
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29
Continue on Sterling Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Sterling Road
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30
Continue on Seville Road
1 mi · 2 min · Seville Road
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31
Continue on Kauffman Avenue
2923 ft · 1 min · Kauffman Avenue
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32
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
32 m · 5 sec · Chestnut Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chestnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lorain and Sterling.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway
6.63 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lorain and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lorain to Sterling?
The road trip is about 47 miles (75.6 km) and usually takes 01h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Grafton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.5 miles from Lorain and 23.5 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.15 one way or $12.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lorain and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Grafton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grafton.
Elyria
Cleveland Lakefront station
Sandusky
Alliance
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lorain and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 37.75 mi (60.76 km).
#1 Lorain
The most populous city in Lorain County, Ohio.
| Population | 63,872 |
| Coordinates | 41.4528200, -82.1823700 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Unincorporated community in northwestern Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, United States
| Population | 4,577 |
| Coordinates | 40.9675600, -81.8484700 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-81.84847, 40.96756)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $6.15 | $12.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $7.95 | $15.90 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $7.14 | $14.29 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Ohio · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.