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...
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lima, OH
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Lima, OH.
Start on West Bowery Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
Continue on East Mill Street
Continue on South Forge Street
Turn right onto SR 18
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
Merge onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 124
Continue on SR 124
Continue on C-3
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.8 miles.
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$29.15 one way
$58.29 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Akron on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Lima on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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