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Trip from Akron, OH to Prospect, OH

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

111.2 mi

179 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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

Downtown Prospect, OH, OH

Prospect, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Akron, OH to Prospect, OH covers 111.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, Kenmore Expressway, Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.6 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.26 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

55.6 miles from Akron, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 111.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.6 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 23 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 57.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 59 / Rand Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.4 miles (SR 59 / Rand Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | SR 59 / Rand Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto SR 59 / Rand Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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
5
24.4 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 71

Merge onto I 71

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
82 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward SR 95: Fredericktown, Mount Gilead

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 151 Toward SR 95: Fredericktown, Mount Gilead

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Akron, OH to Prospect, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Gilead along the way.

Mount Gilead

82 mi in | ~1h 34m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 57.6 mi 1h 1m
Kenmore Expressway 19.8 mi 24m
Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West 5.4 mi 7m
East Main Street 5.1 mi 7m
Russell Road 5 mi 8m
Waldo-Fulton Road 3.1 mi 4m
Waldo-Ashley Road 3 mi 4m
United States Highway 42 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Prospect, 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: Barberton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Exit 1A Toward I 71 South: Columbus Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 71

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 151 Toward SR 95: Fredericktown, Mount Gilead Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto SR 95

1.8 mi · 2 min · State Route 95
11

Turn left onto TWP 115

5.0 mi · 8 min · Russell Road
12

Turn straight onto US 42

2.8 mi · 4 min · United States Highway 42
13

Continue on US 42

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Gilead Street
14

Continue on US 42

5.1 mi · 7 min · East Main Street
15

Turn right onto SR 746

0.7 mi · 53 sec · SR 746
16

Turn straight onto Waldo-Ashley Road

3.0 mi · 4 min · Waldo-Ashley Road
17

Continue on Waldo-Fulton Road

3.1 mi · 4 min · Waldo-Fulton Road
18

At end of road, turn left onto SR 98

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Columbus-Sandusky Road South
19

At end of road, turn left onto SR 47

0.5 mi · 54 sec · North Marion Street
20

Continue on SR 47

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Waldo-Delaware Road
21

Turn right onto SR 47

5.4 mi · 7 min · Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West
22

Continue on SR 47

0.6 mi · 1 min · Water Street
23

Arrive at destination

SR 47

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.6 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 24 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.6 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prospect, 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 111.2 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Akron, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 57.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 55.6 mi from Akron, OH · 1h 5m into the drive

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

56 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

Westfield Center, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.6 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Prospect, OH

The final approach into Prospect, 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 Prospect, 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.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.26 one way

$34.52 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $19.15 $38.31
premium $4.91 $21.49 $42.98
diesel $5.61 $24.55 $49.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.4 0 $11.68 $5.34
Efficient EV 27.8 0 $9.73 $4.45
EV Truck/SUV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 15, 2026

Origin

Akron, OH

Evening in Akron on Thursday

Local time

8:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Prospect, OH

Evening in Prospect on Thursday

Local time

8:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Mansfield, OH

56 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

8 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

2h 17m 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 Prospect, OH covers 111.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Kenmore Expressway, Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.6 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 $17.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.4 miles (SR 59 / Rand Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.
On the drive from Akron, OH to Prospect, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Gilead along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Prospect, OH to Akron, OH

Plan the drive back the other way.

110.9 mi 2h 15m

Explore more options from Akron, OH or browse trips ending in Prospect, OH.

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