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Trip from Cleveland, OH to Malaga, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

137.7 mi

222 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

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

city in and county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States

Cleveland, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Malaga, OH, OH

Malaga, OH

Jiří Dočkal

Trip Overview

The drive from Cleveland, OH to Malaga, OH covers 137.7 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Route 21, Willow Freeway, US 250 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.37 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

68.8 miles from Cleveland, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 137.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 5m highway drive covering 137.7 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 137.7 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (SR 21 / State Route 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street

Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | SR 10

Take the ramp onto SR 10 toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
6
27.9 mi into trip | ~36m in | SR 21 / State Route 21

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21 / State Route 21

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
69.4 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 250

Take the exit onto US 250

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
86 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | US 250; SR 800

Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800 toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Dennison

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

Toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Denniso...

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 Cleveland, OH to Malaga, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Newcomerstown along the way.

Newcomerstown

85.9 mi in | ~1h 49m | via US 250; SR 800

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Route 21 28.7 mi 35m
Willow Freeway 26 mi 31m
US 250 21.2 mi 24m
Johnson Avenue 10.6 mi 15m
US 62 9.8 mi 15m
Somerton Highway 9.5 mi 14m
Hendrysburg Freeport Road 9.1 mi 13m
Freeport Tippecanoe Road 5.2 mi 7m
Longest stretch: State Route 21 — 28.7 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Malaga, OH.

1

Start on Frankfort Avenue

156 ft · 12 sec · Frankfort Avenue
2

Turn left onto West 3rd Street

339 ft · 16 sec · West 3rd Street
3

Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3

315 ft · 14 sec · West Superior Avenue
4

Turn right onto US 6; US 20

503 ft · 23 sec · West Roadway
5

Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87

0.8 mi · 1 min · Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87

0.7 mi · 1 min · Orange Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Take the ramp onto SR 10

0.2 mi · 27 sec · SR 10
Toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron Use the straight lane.
8

Merge onto I 77; SR 10

26 mi · 31 min · Willow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21

29 mi · 35 min · State Route 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Turn straight onto US 62; SR 21

9.8 mi · 15 min · US 62; SR 21
11

Continue on US 250

3.0 mi · 3 min · US 250
12

Take the exit onto US 250

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 250
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 250

9.9 mi · 10 min · US 250
14

Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 250; SR 800
Toward US 36, US 250, SR 800: Dennison-Cadiz, Newcomerstown
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 250; SR 800
Toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Dennison
16

Continue on SR 800

0.6 mi · 1 min · SR 800
17

At end of road, turn left onto SR 800

495 ft · 8 sec · Center Street
18

Continue on SR 800

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Jewett Avenue
19

Turn left onto SR 800

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Taylor Avenue
20

Turn slight right onto SR 800

11 mi · 15 min · Johnson Avenue
21

Continue on SR 800

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Davis Street
22

Continue on SR 800

5.2 mi · 7 min · Freeport Tippecanoe Road
23

Continue on SR 800

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Cemetery Hill Road
24

Continue on SR 800

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Main Street
25

Turn left onto SR 800

0.5 mi · 42 sec · South Philadelphia Street
26

Continue on SR 800

174 ft · 2 sec · Philadelphia Street
27

Continue on SR 800

2.8 mi · 4 min · Smyrna Road
28

Merge onto US 22; SR 800

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Cadiz-Piedmont Road
29

Continue on US 22; SR 800

500 ft · 13 sec · Cadiz Road
30

Turn sharp left onto SR 800

2.5 mi · 3 min · Freeport Road
31

Continue on SR 800

9.0 mi · 13 min · Hendrysburg Freeport Road
32

Continue on SR 800

360 ft · 6 sec · Hendrysburg Freeport Road
33

Continue on SR 800

4.3 mi · 6 min · Barnesville Hendrysburg Road
34

Continue on SR 800

1.0 mi · 1 min · Bond Avenue
35

Continue on SR 800

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Chestnut Street
36

Continue on SR 800

6.2 mi · 9 min · Somerton Highway
37

Continue on SR 800

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
38

Continue on SR 800

3.3 mi · 4 min · Somerton Highway
39

Arrive at destination

SR 800

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 68.8 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.8 miles or 1h 30m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malaga, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH

This is one driving day of about 137.7 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Cleveland, 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 State Route 21 for about 28.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.8 mi from Cleveland, OH · 1h 30m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Chester, OH

69 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

Barberton, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dover, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Cleveland, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Malaga, OH

The final approach into Malaga, 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 Malaga, OH.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.37 one way

$42.74 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $23.72 $47.44
premium $4.91 $26.61 $53.23
diesel $5.61 $30.40 $60.80

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: 48.2 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 41.3 0 $14.46 $6.61
Efficient EV 34.4 0 $12.05 $5.51
EV Truck/SUV 55.1 0 $19.28 $8.81

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

Cleveland, OH

Afternoon in Cleveland on Friday

Local time

1:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Malaga, OH

Afternoon in Malaga on Friday

Local time

1:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

70°F

West Chester, OH

69 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

14 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

3h 5m 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 Cleveland, OH to Malaga, OH covers 137.7 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Route 21, Willow Freeway, US 250. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 68.8 miles from Cleveland, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.37 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 137.7 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (SR 21 / State Route 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Cleveland, OH to Malaga, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Newcomerstown along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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