Skip to main content

Trip from Akron, OH to Lima, OH

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 36m

Distance

187.8 mi

302 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 24m ★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 29m

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

city and county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States

Lima, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Akron, OH to Lima, OH covers 187.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 77, Akron Expressway, SR 7 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.8 miles on I 77. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.15 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.9 miles from Akron, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 187.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 36m highway drive covering 187.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 77 and Akron Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 91.8 miles on I 77.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and Akron Expressway. You will hit about 12 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.

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 187.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 12 key points

These 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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
6
148.7 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in | US 50

Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athe...

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 Lima, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Pomeroy along the way.

Pomeroy

148.7 mi in | ~2h 46m | via US 50

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 77 91.8 mi 1h 38m
Akron Expressway 44.9 mi 51m
SR 7 26.4 mi 30m
Corridor D 10.2 mi 11m
OH State Route 124 3.2 mi 4m
New Lima Road 1.3 mi 3m
Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
US 50 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 77 — 91.8 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Lima, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 77

92 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
12

Turn right onto US 50

10 mi · 11 min · Corridor D
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 50

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 50
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
14

Merge onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32

26 mi · 30 min · US 50; SR 7; SR 32
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

6.3 mi · 8 min
16

Turn right onto SR 124

3.2 mi · 4 min · OH State Route 124
17

Continue on SR 124

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
18

Continue on C-3

1.3 mi · 3 min · New Lima Road
19

Arrive at destination

C-3

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 93.9 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.8 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 41 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.9 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lima, 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 187.8 miles and 3h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 77 for about 91.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.9 mi from Akron, OH · 1h 46m into the drive

Downtown East Union, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Union, OH

94 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

Sugarcreek, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Union, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.9 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 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.8 miles.

Arriving in Lima, OH

The final approach into Lima, 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 Lima, 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

$29.15 one way

$58.29 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $32.35 $64.69
premium $4.91 $36.30 $72.59
diesel $5.61 $41.46 $82.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.3 0 $19.72 $9.01
Efficient EV 47 0 $16.43 $7.51
EV Truck/SUV 75.1 0 $26.29 $12.02

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Afternoon in Akron on Thursday

Local time

2:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lima, OH

Afternoon in Lima on Thursday

Local time

2:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

East Union, OH

94 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

15 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 36m 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 Lima, OH covers 187.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 77, Akron Expressway, SR 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.9 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 $29.15 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 187.8 miles you will encounter 12 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.
On the drive from Akron, OH to Lima, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Pomeroy along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Lima, OH to Akron, OH

Plan the drive back the other way.

187.4 mi 3h 36m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.

Explore maps for Akron, OH or Lima, OH on MapSof.net.