Trip from Akron, OH to Gratis, OH

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 18m

Distance

217.6 mi

350 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 5m ★

6 AM

4h 18m

8 AM

4h 45m

10 AM

4h 27m

12 PM

4h 25m

3 PM

4h 29m

5 PM

4h 43m

8 PM

4h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Gratis, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Trip Overview

The drive from Akron, OH to Gratis, OH covers 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, West Freeway, Kenmore Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.77 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

108.8 miles from Akron, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 217.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 217.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.7 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183 miles (SR 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

123.1 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 109A Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton

182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in | SR 4

Take the exit onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 41 Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle

183 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in | SR 4

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton

195.8 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | SR 4

Take the exit onto SR 4 toward US 35 East, US 35 West, SR 4 South: Xenia, Eaton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52 Toward US 35 East, US 35 West, SR 4 South: Xeni...

195.9 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | SR 4

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4 toward US 35 West, SR 4 South: Eaton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 35 West, SR 4 South: Eaton

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Akron, OH and Gratis, OH, road signs point toward Dayton, New Carlisle and Eaton.

Dayton

123.1 mi in | ~2h 19m

New Carlisle

182.7 mi in | ~3h 25m | via SR 4

Eaton

195.8 mi in | ~3h 42m | via SR 4

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 71	98.8 mi	1h 46m
West Freeway	54.2 mi	58m
Kenmore Expressway	19.8 mi	24m
SR 4	14.1 mi	18m
East Market Street	9.5 mi	16m
Germantown Street	8 mi	12m
I 670	4.5 mi	5m
Dayton Germantown Pike	2.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 71 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Gratis, OH.

Start on West Bowery Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · West Bowery Street

Turn right onto West Center Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · West Center Street

At end of road, turn left onto SR 59

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Rand Avenue

Turn straight onto SR 59

1.8 mi · 2 min · Innerbelt

Merge onto I 76; I 77

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 76; I 77

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

20 mi · 24 min · Kenmore Expressway

Toward I 76 West: Barberton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min

Exit 1A Toward I 71 South: Columbus Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 71

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 109A Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 670 West: Dayton Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 670

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Northeast Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 670

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 670

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

54 mi · 58 min · West Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto SR 4

0.3 mi · 42 sec · SR 4

Exit 41 Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4

13 mi · 16 min · SR 4

Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto SR 4

507 ft · 12 sec · SR 4

Exit 52 Toward US 35 East, US 35 West, SR 4 South: Xenia, Eaton Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4

0.4 mi · 39 sec · SR 4

Toward US 35 West, SR 4 South: Eaton Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 25 sec

Toward SR 4 South: Germantown Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Germantown Street

2.4 mi · 3 min · Germantown Street

Continue on SR 4

1.0 mi · 1 min · Germantown Pike

Continue on SR 4

5.6 mi · 8 min · Germantown Street

Continue on SR 4

2.3 mi · 3 min · Dayton Germantown Pike

Use the straight lane.

Continue on SR 4; SR 725

0.5 mi · 52 sec · SR 4; SR 725

Turn right onto SR 725

9.5 mi · 16 min · East Market Street

Arrive at destination

SR 725

Trip Plan

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 108.8 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.8 miles or 2h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gratis, 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 217.6 miles and 4h 18m.

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 I 71 for about 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.8 mi from Akron, OH · 2h 3m into the drive

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, OH

109 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.

Popular next leg

Columbus, OH to Gratis, OH

94.1 mi · 1h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Mansfield, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbus, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.

Arriving in Gratis, OH

The final approach into Gratis, 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 Gratis, OH.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 187.6

View on nps.gov

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Monument

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 180.1

View on nps.gov

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

National Park

Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.77 one way

$67.54 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.38	$37.48	$74.96
premium	$4.91	$42.06	$84.11
diesel	$5.61	$48.04	$96.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.3	0	$22.85	$10.44
Efficient EV	54.4	0	$19.04	$8.70
EV Truck/SUV	87	1	$30.46	$13.93

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Akron, OH

Night in Akron on Tuesday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gratis, OH

Night in Gratis on Tuesday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

20 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 18m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Gratis, OH covers 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 71, West Freeway, Kenmore Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 108.8 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 $33.77 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.