This 135.8-mile drive from Blanchard to Akron, Ohio, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. With 94% of the route on highways, expect a focused drive primarily utilizing US 30, I-71, and I-76. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, making it an economical option for traversing the Midwest. This route offers a straightforward journey, perfect for those who prefer efficient travel between these two Ohio locations. You'll find it to be a convenient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
67.9 miles from Blanchard, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 135.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive, with a 94% highway share, means you'll be spending most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 71.2 miles on US 30, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While the route is predominantly interstate, it provides a direct and efficient path. The character is less about winding country roads and more about covering ground effectively, with the transition between major highways like I-71 and I-76 shaping the latter part of your journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 111.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 135.8 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 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
6
130.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
132.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
8
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|SR 59 / Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
71.2 mi
1h 18m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
United States Highway 68
3.4 mi
4m
Main Street
3.3 mi
5m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
SR 701
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blanchard, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on SR 701
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 701
2
Turn left onto US 68
3.4 mi·4 min·United States Highway 68
3
Continue on US 68
3.3 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto US 30
25 mi·27 min·US 30
6
Take the exit onto US 30
46 mi·51 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
16
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
17
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 38-minute duration, this trip works best as a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 135.8 miles, perhaps during the longest stretch on US 30. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is a good budget to keep in mind. Since the majority of this drive is on highways, ensure you're prepared for typical interstate conditions and traffic as you approach Akron. Having a full tank before you leave Blanchard is always a good idea.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.9 miles from Blanchard, OH, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akron, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blanchard, 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 Blanchard, OH
This is one driving day of about 135.8 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Blanchard, 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 US 30 for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.9 mi from Blanchard, OH
· 1h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 67.9 miles from Blanchard, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Akron, OH
The final approach into Akron, 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 Akron, 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
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
near mile 135.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.08 one way
$42.15 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$23.39
$46.78
premium
$4.91
$26.25
$52.49
diesel
$5.61
$29.98
$59.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.7
0
$14.26
$6.52
Efficient EV
34
0
$11.88
$5.43
EV Truck/SUV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Blanchard, OH
Morning
in Blanchard on Friday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Friday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
68 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 38m 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 Blanchard, OH to Akron, OH covers 135.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, I 71, I 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.9 miles from Blanchard, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.08 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.
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 14 significant decision points across 135.8 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 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Blanchard, OH to Akron, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
