Origin
Akron, OH
Evening in Akron on Sunday
Local time
8:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Akron, OH to Athens, OH
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
159.6 mi
257 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, OH
Maksim Romashkin
Trip Overview
Traveling from Akron to Athens covers 159.6 miles across the heart of Ohio, typically taking about 3 hours and 26 minutes to complete. This route relies on a combination of the Akron Expressway, I-77, and I-70 to navigate the Midwest landscape. Because the trip is relatively short, you can comfortably manage it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $23 on fuel for the journey. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects two distinct parts of the state, making it an efficient way to travel between these regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.8 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip, covering 44.9 miles on the Akron Expressway. As you transition onto the interstate system, the character of the road shifts toward a consistent, high-speed pace. While the initial leg requires navigating the expressway, the remainder of the 159.6 miles involves steady interstate cruising. Expect a predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Akron Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Akron Expressway and I 77. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Mill Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.6 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Mill Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (Goodkirk Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (SR 8 / Akron Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Mill Street
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Goodkirk Street
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge onto SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward SR 60, SR 146: Underwood Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 155
Toward SR 60, SR 146: Underwood Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Akron Expressway | 44.9 mi | 51m |
| I 77 | 36.7 mi | 39m |
| I 70 | 24.2 mi | 26m |
| Roseville Road | 13.8 mi | 20m |
| Jefferson Street | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| South Main Street | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Main | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| SR 13 | 3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Akron Expressway
— 44.9 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Athens, OH.
1
Start on West Bowery Street
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Bowery Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Mill Street
4
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mill Street
5
Continue on South Forge Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Forge Street
6
Turn right onto SR 18
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Market Street
7
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Goodkirk Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward SR 8 South
9
Merge onto SR 8
45 mi
·
51 min
·
Akron Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 77
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44B
Toward I 70 West: Columbus
12
Merge onto I 70
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 70
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 155
Toward SR 60, SR 146: Underwood Street
14
Continue on Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Elm Street
15
Turn left onto North 7th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
16
Turn right onto US 22; SR 93
356 ft
·
11 sec
·
Marietta Street
17
Turn left onto US 22; SR 93
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Putnam Avenue
18
Turn slight right onto US 22; SR 93
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Maysville Avenue
19
Continue on US 22; SR 93
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Maysville Pike
20
Turn slight left
509 ft
·
18 sec
21
Continue on SR 93
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Roseville Road
22
Continue on SR 13
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 13
23
Turn left onto Town Hwy 312
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Town Hwy 312
24
Turn left onto SR 13
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Jefferson Street
25
Continue on SR 13; SR 78
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Main Street
26
Turn slight left onto SR 13; SR 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
27
Continue on SR 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Drive
28
Continue on SR 13
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
South Main Street
29
Turn slight right onto SR 13
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 13
30
Turn left onto SR 13
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Main
31
Turn right onto SR 550
469 ft
·
9 sec
·
SR 550
32
Turn straight onto Columbus Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Columbus Road
33
Continue on North Lancaster Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Lancaster Street
34
Continue on South Lancaster Street
394 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Lancaster Street
35
Turn left onto West State Street
483 ft
·
19 sec
·
West State Street
36
Turn right onto North Congress Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Congress Street
37
Turn left onto West Washington Street
372 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Washington Street
38
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour and 26-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as the route is long enough to warrant a quick rest or a snack. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you have a less efficient vehicle, to ensure you stay within your $23 budget. Because you are primarily utilizing major interstates like I-77 and I-70, be prepared for potential congestion near urban interchanges. Checking traffic reports before you leave Akron will help you avoid unnecessary delays during peak travel hours.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.8 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Akron, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Akron, OH
This is one driving day of about 159.6 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Akron, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Akron Expressway for about 44.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.8 mi from Akron, OH · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.8 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Athens, OH
The final approach into Athens, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Athens, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.87 one way
$47.74 round trip
$3.80/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.24 | $26.65 | $53.31 |
| premium | $4.79 | $30.10 | $60.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.46 | $70.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.76 | $7.66 |
| Efficient EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.34 | $10.21 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Athens, OH
Evening in Athens on Sunday
Local time
8:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
82°F
Addison, OH
80 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Akron, OH to Athens, OH covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Akron Expressway, I 77, I 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.8 miles from Akron, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.87 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.6 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Mill Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (Goodkirk Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (SR 8 / Akron Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Akron, OH to Athens, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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