This 209.1-mile drive from Akron to Pleasant Hill, Ohio, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under four hours, making it an ideal day trip. The route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 94% of the journey on major interstates and expressways like I-71. You'll spend approximately $32 on fuel for this journey, which includes one recommended stop. The overall feel is practical and efficient, perfect for getting from point A to point B without much fuss as you travel within the Midwest region.
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
104.6 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 3-hour and 58-minute drive, with 94% of the mileage on expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.8 miles on I-71, offering a solid period of consistent speed. While the majority of the route utilizes main roads like I-71, West Freeway, and Kenmore Expressway, the character remains largely consistent with its highway profile, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 3.3 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 209.1 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 3.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
7
23.1 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
8
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
8
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Dayton, Toledo
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 33
Toward I 75: Dayton, Toledo
8
201.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow Falls
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 73
Toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow Falls
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 Pleasant Hill, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Toledo.
Dayton
123.1 mi in|~2h 19m
Toledo
189.6 mi in|~3h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
61.1 mi
1h 6m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
I 75
11.1 mi
12m
Arthur Road
6.3 mi
8m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Pleasant Hill, OH.
1
Start on West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·West Bowery Street
2
Turn right onto West Center Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·West Center Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 59
0.1 mi·15 sec·Rand Avenue
4
Turn straight onto SR 59
1.8 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
5
Merge onto I 76; I 77
1.0 mi·1 min·I 76; I 77
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward I 75: Dayton, ToledoUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 73Toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow FallsUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 55
0.4 mi·47 sec·SR 55
19
Turn left onto SR 718
6.3 mi·8 min·Arthur Road
20
Continue on SR 718
0.6 mi·1 min·East Monument Street
21
Arrive at destination
SR 718
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under four hours, this drive from Akron to Pleasant Hill is best tackled as a single-day excursion. You can depart anytime, but an early morning start will allow for a relaxed pace, especially since only one stop is generally recommended. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 100 miles on I-71, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $32 makes this an economical choice for a weekend getaway or an efficient business trip.
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 104.6 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 59m 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 1h 59m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pleasant Hill, 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 209.1 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 104.6 mi from Akron, OH
· 1h 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 104.6 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 Pleasant Hill, OH
The final approach into Pleasant Hill, 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 Pleasant Hill, 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
$32.45 one way
$64.90 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$36.02
$72.03
premium
$4.91
$40.41
$80.82
diesel
$5.61
$46.17
$92.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.96
$10.04
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.30
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.27
$13.38
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Evening
in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
8:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:19PM EDT until April 14 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 7:17PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Pleasant Hill, OH
Evening
in Pleasant Hill on Wednesday
Local time
8:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
1 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
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Pleasant Hill, OH covers 209.1 miles and takes about 3h 58m 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 104.6 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 $32.45 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 209.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Akron, OH and Pleasant Hill, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Toledo.
