How far is Lorain, OH from Waterloo, OH?
The driving distance from Lorain, OH to Waterloo, OH is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 02h 57m.
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.
Village in Richland County, Ohio, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lorain and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorain and Waterloo.
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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
95.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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24
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 East: Wheeling
1.2 km · 2 min
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25
Merge slight right onto East Freeway
3 mi · 4 min · East Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 33 East: Lancaster
1514 ft · 37 sec
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27
Continue on College Avenue
1779 ft · 30 sec · College Avenue
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Southeast Expressway
8.8 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway
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29
Continue on Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
1 km · 49 sec · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Hill Road, Diley Road
2397 ft · 1 min
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31
Turn right onto Diley Road
1249 ft · 24 sec · Diley Road
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32
Continue on Hill Road Northwest
905 ft · 26 sec · Hill Road Northwest
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33
Continue on Hill Road Northwest
70 m · 10 sec · Hill Road Northwest
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hill Road Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lorain and Waterloo.
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
95.4 mi · 01h 44m
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.
Sunny leaving Lorain and Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lorain to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.8 miles from Lorain and 74.9 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.56 one way or $39.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lorain and Sunny near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Sandusky
Elyria
Columbus, OH
Cleveland Lakefront station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lorain and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 115.84 mi (186.42 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 Waterloo
Human settlement in Ohio, United States
| Population | 2,605 |
| Coordinates | 39.8397900, -82.7849000 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterloo (-82.7849, 39.83979)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $19.56 | $39.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $22.40 | $44.80 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $25.29 | $50.58 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $22.73 | $45.45 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.