Interstate 271 Ohio

Interstate 271 Ohio

Overview

Interstate 271 forms a bypass for regional traffic to the east of Cleveland through Summit and Cuyahoga Counties. The freeway connects with I-71 near Medina and I-90 near the shore of Lake Erie. The northern half of I-271, from Macdeonia to Wiloughby Hills, navigates through an array of cities and villages. This includes a dual freeway configuration northward from I-480N at Warrensville Heights.

South through the city of Bedford Heights and the community of Oakwood, I-271 combines with I-480 along a four mile overlap. The concurrency represents just one of three pairs of overlapped branch routes within the Interstate Highway System. The others are both in North Carolina; I-785 and I-840 at Greensboro and I-587 and I-795 at Wilson.

The southern portion of Interstate 271 through Summit and Medina Counties remains mostly rural. This includes a stretch through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A set of rest areas line both roadways in Richfield Township as well.

Route Information

  • North End – Willoughby Hills, OH

  • South End – Medina, OH

  • Mileage – 46.06*

  • Cities – Macedonia, Bedford Heights, Warrensville Heights, Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Highland Heights, Willoughby Hills

  • Junctions – I-71 I-77 I-80 Ohio Tpk I-480 I-90

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
* – 5.84 miles on I-480

Cleveland, OH - 1972

Interstate 271 projected in 1962 along what ultimately became part of I-480.

History

Early plans for the Cleveland Interstate system outlined Interstate 271 following a corridor along Ohio State Route 17 east between I-71 in southwest Cleveland and Maple Heights. This was later changed to I-80N and then I-480. A subsequent proposal combined I-271 with Interstate 290, which was an urban freeway slated to run west from Beachwood across Shaker Heights to I-77 (Willow Freeway) in Cleveland.

North End – I-90 – Willoughby Hills, Ohio

I-271 North at I-90

I-271 north at I-90 - Mayfield, OH

Heading 2.25 miles north to Interstate 90, I-271 runs between Highland Heights and Mayfield. 06/14/10

I-271 north at I-90 - Willoughby Hills, OH

I-271 partitions with express and local roadways north from I-480N to Interstate 90. The local lanes enter Willoughby Hills and Lake County one mile from I-90 at the White Road overpass. 06/14/10

I-271 north at I-90 - Willoughby Hills, OH

A two lane flyover departs from the local lanes of I-271 north next for Interstate 90 west to Euclid, East Cleveland and Cleveland. 06/14/10

I-271 north at I-90 - Willoughby Hills, OH

The I-271 mainline defaults onto Interstate 90 east just ahead of the exchange with SR 91 (Som Center Road) in Willoughby Hills. 06/14/10

I-271 north at I-90 - Willoughby Hills, OH

An end sign for Interstate 271 appears over the express roadway ahead of I-90 eastbound. Photo by Tim Kubat (04/06).

I-90 West at I-271

I-90 west at I-271 - Willoughby Hills, OH

A parclo interchange links I-90 with SR 91 (Som Center Road) in north Willoughby Hills, one mile from Left Exit 188 for Interstate 271 south. 06/14/10

I-90 west at I-271 - Willoughby Hills, OH

Curving south past the city of Wickliffe, I-90 turns west at the upcoming directional T interchange (Exit 188) with Interstate 271. 06/14/10

I-90 west at I-271 - Willoughby Hills, OH

The local / express configuration along Interstate 271 extends south from I-90 to I-480N at Warrensville Heights. 06/14/10

I-90 west at I-271 - Willoughby Hills, OH

Interstate 271 travels south from Willoughby Hills to Mayfield Heights, Beachwood and Bedford Heights among other east Cleveland suburbs. 06/14/10

I-90 west at I-271 - Willoughby Hills, OH

Interstate 90 continues southwest to Euclid and Downtown Cleveland. I-271 provides part of a regional bypass to Interstate 71 south for Columbus and Cincinnati. 06/14/10

I-90 East at I-271

I-90 east at I-271 - 2006

I-90 shifts southeast from Euclid around Wickliffe to the directional T interchange (Exit 188) with Interstate 271 south in Willoughby Hills. Photo by Tim Kubat (04/06).

I-90 east at I-271 - 2006

Interstate 90 travels northeast from I-271 at Willoughby Hills to Ashtabula and Erie, Pennsylvania. I-271 heads south to meet I-480 between Maple Heights and Solon. Photo by Tim Kubat (04/06).

I-271 North End Throwback

Replaced button copy overheads for I-271 on I-90 westbound. Photo by Tim Kubat (05/06).

South End I-71 – Medina Township, Ohio

I-271 South at I-71

I-271 south at I-71 - Granger Twp, OH

Interstate 271 curves southwest beyond Remsen Corners to a wye interchange (Exit 1) with I-71 southbound. Photo by Tim Kubat (05/06).

I-271 south at I-71 - Granger Twp, OH

An end sign for Interstate 271 stands 1.5 miles east of I-71 by the Wilbur Road overpass in Granger Township. Photo by Tim Kubat (05/06).

I-271 south at I-71 - Granger Twp, OH

Two lanes continue onto Interstate 71 south from Exit 1 toward Mansfield and Columbus. Photo by Tim Kubat (05/06).

I-71 North at I-271

I-71 north at I-271 - Medina, OH

Exit 218 departs I-71 north for SR 18 (Medina Road) west to Downtown Medina and east to Montrose. Exit 220 follows in two miles for Interstate 271 to the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. 06/14/10

I-71 north at I-271 - Medina, OH

Interstate 271 branches northeast from I-71 to Macedonia and north to I-90 in Willoughby Hills. 06/14/10

I-71 north at I-271 - Medina, OH

Two lanes separate at the wye interchange (Exit 220) for I-271 north while I-71 advances north with three lanes to Brunswick and Strongsville. 06/14/10

Page updated July 3, 2022.