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 mostly highway.
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
.
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: AkronUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 86 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.37 one way
$42.74 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg48 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 Saturday
Local time
1:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Malaga, OH
Afternoon
in Malaga on Saturday
Local time
1:36 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
137.7 mi in 3h 5m, mostly highway — 28.7 mi of that is on State Route 21.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on State Route 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 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 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.
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.
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Malaga, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Malaga, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
