Origin
Cleves, OH
Late night in Cleves on Wednesday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cleves, OH to Akron, OH
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
246 mi
396 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 57m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleves, OH
www.kaboompics.com
Trip Overview
This 246-mile drive from Cleves, OH to Akron, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 48 minutes behind the wheel, covering 94% of the distance on major interstates like I-71 and I-76. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, this route is an economical choice for a quick getaway within the Midwest. Given its manageable length and direct path, it’s well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll primarily be traversing familiar Ohio landscapes on this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123 miles from Cleves, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the mileage on high-speed roads. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-71, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 170.6 miles. The transition to the Circle Freeway and then I-76 near Akron offers a consistent driving experience without significant changes in road type. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, making it efficient for covering ground quickly. This is not a route defined by winding backroads but rather by direct interstate travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 170.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Circle Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 246 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 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
27.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
43.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
222.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m 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
222.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cleves, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Columbus, Lebanon and Wheeling.
Columbus
27.6 mi in
|
~35m
Lebanon
43.2 mi in
|
~54m
Wheeling
119 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 71
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 170.6 mi | 3h 6m |
| Circle Freeway | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| I 76 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Northeast Expressway | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Hamilton Cleves Pike | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| SR 350 | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Innerbelt | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Middleboro Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleves, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on South Miami Avenue
198 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Miami Avenue
2
Turn left onto SR 264
324 ft
·
10 sec
·
West State Road
3
Turn right onto US 50
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto SR 128
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Hamilton Cleves Pike
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 74 East, I 275 North, US 52 East: Cincinnati
6
Merge onto I 74; I 275; US 52
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Circle Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Circle Freeway
Exit 9
Toward I 275 North: Dayton
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 49
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft
·
12 sec
·
SR 123
14
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
SR 350
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Middleboro Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft
·
10 sec
·
Wilmington Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
18
Merge onto I 71
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Innerbelt
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 71
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Innerbelt
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on SR 59
406 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
30
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Center Street
31
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Bowery Street
32
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 48-minute drive, departing early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Akron. While the route is manageable in one day, remember there's only one suggested stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. The longest stretch without a break is over 170 miles on I-71, so ensure you're comfortable with that distance or plan for a brief pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer interstate segments.
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 123 miles from Cleves, OH, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
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 Cleves, 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 Cleves, OH
This is one driving day of about 246 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cleves, 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 71 for about 170.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123 mi from Cleves, OH · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123 miles from Cleves, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.6 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.18 one way
$76.36 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $42.37 | $84.74 |
| premium | $4.91 | $47.54 | $95.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.31 | $108.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.83 | $11.81 |
| Efficient EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.4 | 1 | $34.44 | $15.74 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cleves, OH to Akron, OH covers 246 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Circle Freeway, 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 123 miles from Cleves, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.18 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 246 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 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cleves, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Columbus, Lebanon and Wheeling.
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