The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail follows Ohio’s shoreline for 293 miles, from Toledo at the Michigan border to Conneaut at the Pennsylvania border. It passes beaches, lighthouses, vineyards, wildlife refuges, and the Lake Erie islands.
The route is split into three regions. The Northwest covers Toledo, Port Clinton, Sandusky, and the islands; the north-central section runs through Cleveland and Lorain, and the Northeast covers Lake and Ashtabula counties.
FHWA describes 12,000 years of history along the trail, including the Western Reserve, the Underground Railroad, and the War of 1812. It also lists more than 150 attractions on the shore.
Route Details: Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
Mile markers below are my estimates. The 293 miles include detours to the islands and peninsulas, so straight-line distances are shorter.
Toledo (0 miles)
The trail starts in Toledo. The National Museum of the Great Lakes covers the lakes’ natural history and the rise of industry, and Maumee Bay State Park, about 20 minutes away, has beaches on both the lake and an inland pond.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (40 miles)
The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex covers about 9,000 acres, including Ottawa, Cedar Point, and West Sister Island refuges. It is one of the best birding stops on the route.
Port Clinton (65 miles)
Port Clinton is a lake town with a drawbridge over the Portage River and fish markets. Ohio Route 53 loops to the Miller Ferry dock for the crossing to Put-in-Bay. Port Clinton has a 4-stall fast charger rated up to 200 kW.
Marblehead Lighthouse (90 miles)
Marblehead Lighthouse, built in 1821, sits on a rocky shore on Route 163. It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Lake Erie.
Sandusky (105 miles)
Sandusky has Cedar Point, an amusement park on a peninsula reached by a causeway. The Jet Express to the islands leaves from the waterfront, and Firelands Winery is nearby. Sandusky has a 10-stall Tesla Supercharger and a 50 kW fast charger.
Vermilion and Huron (130 miles)
West of Cleveland, lake towns like Vermilion and Huron have harbors and beaches. The route has broad views across Sandusky Bay.
Cleveland (175 miles)
Cleveland is the largest city on the trail, with about 365,000 residents. The route runs along the lakefront and has plenty of food, lodging, and chargers.
Headlands Beach State Park (235 miles)
Headlands Beach State Park in Lake County is about 45 to 50 miles west of Conneaut, and is one of the state’s best-known beaches.
Geneva-on-the-Lake and wine country (260 miles)
Geneva-on-the-Lake is a lakeside resort town. The Ashtabula area has vineyards, including Markko Vineyard, which is billed as Ohio’s oldest estate vineyard.
Conneaut (293 miles)
The trail ends at Conneaut on the Pennsylvania line. The D-Day Ohio WWII Museum here is staffed by volunteers and living-history reenactors, and nearby North Kingsville has an 11-stall fast charger rated up to 180 kW.
Use the trip planner to build a day-by-day itinerary based on your available time and starting point.
