Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
133 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portage, OH
INOCENTE SANCHEZ GUADARRAMA
This 133-mile drive from Akron, OH to Portage, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. With a highway share of 68%, you'll spend a good portion of your time on major roadways, including the Ohio Turnpike and I-77. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $21, making it an economical option for a Midwest excursion. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, and the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 81.2 miles on the Ohio Turnpike. This route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience.
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
66.5 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 133 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant 81.2-mile stretch on the Ohio Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While the primary roads are interstates, the inclusion of Hayes Avenue and I-77 suggests some variation in the road types you'll encounter. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct connection between two points in Ohio.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and Hayes Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 59 / Rand Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 133 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 0.4 miles (SR 59 / Rand Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto SR 59 / Rand Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the exit toward SR 21: Brecksville Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 53: Fremont, Port Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto US 6; SR 53 / Bypass Highway toward US 6 West, SR 53 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Akron, OH to Portage, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Port Clinton along the way.
Port Clinton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Turnpike | 81.2 mi | 1h 27m |
| Hayes Avenue | 25.4 mi | 34m |
| I 77 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| West Market Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Bypass Highway | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| SR 53 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Ghent Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Dixie Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Portage, OH.
Start on West Bowery Street
Turn right onto West Center Street
At end of road, turn left onto SR 59
Turn right onto West Exchange Street
Turn right onto South Portage Path
Turn left onto SR 18
Turn right onto Ghent Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 77; SR 21
Take the exit
Turn straight onto SR 21
Take the ramp
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto SR 53
Continue on SR 53
Take the exit onto SR 53
Merge onto US 6; US 20; SR 19; SR 53
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6; SR 53
Enter roundabout onto US 6; SR 53
Continue on US 6; SR 53
Turn right onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 25
Continue on SR 25
Turn right onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given its manageable 2-hour and 44-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 133 miles, perhaps after covering the longest stretch of 81.2 miles on the Ohio Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments, with an estimated cost of $21. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can afford to be spontaneous with your departure, but ensure you're aware of potential tolls associated with the Ohio Turnpike.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portage, OH than in the middle of the route.
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 133 miles and 2h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.5 mi from Akron, OH · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ohio Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.2 miles.
The final approach into Portage, 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 Portage, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $22.91 | $45.82 |
| premium | $4.91 | $25.70 | $51.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.36 | $58.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.06
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.64 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.62 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Akron on Thursday
Local time
6:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Portage on Thursday
Local time
6:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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