How far is Lorain, OH from Vandalia, OH?
The driving distance from Lorain, OH to Vandalia, OH is about 202.4 miles (325.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Morrow County, Ohio, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lorain and Vandalia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain and Vandalia.
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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 1 toward Avon Belden Road
26 m · 1 sec · Avon Belden Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Avon Belden Road
71 m · 3 sec · Avon Belden Road
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Avon Belden Road
39 m · 2 sec · Avon Belden Road
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Avon Belden Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Avon Belden Road
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16
Continue on Avon Lake Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · Avon Lake Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Avon Lake Road
120 m · 6 sec · Avon Lake Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Avon Lake Road
8.9 mi · 10 min · Avon Lake Road
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19
Continue on Elyria Street
2532 ft · 1 min · Elyria Street
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20
Continue on Wooster Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Wooster Street
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21
Continue on Avon Lake Road
2 mi · 3 min · Avon Lake Road
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22
Take the exit right toward I 71 South: Columbus
1571 ft · 22 sec
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23
Merge slight left
93.5 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
1692 ft · 41 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 670 West: Dayton
1491 ft · 36 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Northeast Freeway
1248 ft · 19 sec · Northeast Freeway
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27
Keep slight right
4.5 mi · 6 min
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28
Merge slight right onto West Freeway
61.1 mi · 1 hr 6 min · West Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Dayton, Toledo
1475 ft · 36 sec
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30
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Toledo
3128 ft · 1 min
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31
Merge slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
32
Take the exit slight right toward US 40: Vandalia, Donnelsville
1802 ft · 53 sec
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33
Turn left onto East National Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East National Road
-
34
Turn sharp left
37 m · 5 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lorain and Vandalia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 71 South
Merge slight left
93.5 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lorain and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Vandalia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lorain to Vandalia?
The road trip is about 202.4 miles (325.7 km) and usually takes 03h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marengo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.1 miles from Lorain and 101.3 miles from Vandalia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.45 one way or $52.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 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 Showers And Thunderstorms near Vandalia.
Stop Ideas Near Marengo
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 Marengo.
Columbus, OH
Sandusky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lorain and Vandalia. Straight-line distance: 151.04 mi (243.08 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 Vandalia
City in Illinois
| Population | 14,987 |
| Coordinates | 39.8906100, -84.1988300 |
| Altitude | 303 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vandalia (-84.19883, 39.89061)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $26.45 | $52.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $30.29 | $60.58 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $34.20 | $68.40 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $30.73 | $61.46 |
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.