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Trip from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to University Heights, OH

Drive Time

39m

Distance

27.2 mi

44 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 36m ★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, OH, OH

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Alex Moliski

Downtown University Heights, OH, OH

University Heights, OH

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to University Heights, OH covers 27.2 miles and takes about 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Akron Expressway, I 271, Northfield Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.5 miles on Akron Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.07 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

13.6 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 39m highway drive covering 27.2 miles, with most of the trip on Akron Expressway and I 271. The longest continuous stretch is about 10.5 miles on Akron Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Akron Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Akron Expressway and I 271. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 27.2 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 19.6 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
11.1 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 271 North: Erie Pennsylvania

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 17 Toward I 271 North: Erie Pennsylvania
8
19.6 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
8
21.1 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward SR 8, SR 43: Northfield Road

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 25C Toward SR 8, SR 43: Northfield Road
5
21.7 mi into trip | ~27m in | SR 8; SR 43 / Northfield Road

Turn right onto SR 8; SR 43 / Northfield Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
24.5 mi into trip | ~32m in | SR 8; CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Turn right onto SR 8; CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to University Heights, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.

Cleveland

19.6 mi in | ~24m | via I 480

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Akron Expressway 10.5 mi 12m
I 271 6.6 mi 7m
Northfield Road 2.8 mi 5m
Warrensville Center Road 2.6 mi 6m
Outerbelt South Freeway 1.5 mi 1m
Aurora Road 0.3 mi <1m
Broad Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Silsby Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Akron Expressway — 10.5 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cuyahoga Falls, OH and University Heights, OH.

1

Start on 2nd Street

27 ft · 8 sec · 2nd Street
2

Turn left onto Broad Boulevard

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Broad Boulevard
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
4

Merge onto SR 8; SR 59

11 mi · 12 min · Akron Expressway
5

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 17 Toward I 271 North: Erie Pennsylvania
6

Merge onto I 271

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 271
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 480

1.5 mi · 1 min · Outerbelt South Freeway
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 25C Toward SR 8, SR 43: Northfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto SR 43

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Aurora Road
10

Turn right onto SR 8; SR 43

2.6 mi · 5 min · Northfield Road
Use the right lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto SR 8

153 ft · 6 sec · Northfield Road
12

Continue on SR 8

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Northfield Road
13

Turn right onto SR 8; CR 4

2.6 mi · 6 min · Warrensville Center Road
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto Silsby Road

301 ft · 13 sec · Silsby Road
15

Arrive at destination

Silsby Road

Trip Plan

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.6 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.5 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 27.2 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.6 miles or 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 30m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cuyahoga Falls, 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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH

This is one driving day of about 27.2 miles and 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Akron Expressway for about 10.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.6 mi from Cuyahoga Falls, OH · 17m into the drive

Downtown Farrell, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farrell, PA

14 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

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farrell, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in University Heights, OH

The final approach into University Heights, 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 University Heights, 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

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 10.3
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.07 one way

$8.14 round trip

$3.80/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.24 $4.54 $9.09
premium $4.79 $5.13 $10.26
diesel $5.64 $6.04 $12.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.2 0 $2.86 $1.31
Efficient EV 6.8 0 $2.38 $1.09
EV Truck/SUV 10.9 0 $3.81 $1.74

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Morning in Cuyahoga Falls on Monday

Local time

10:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

University Heights, OH

Morning in University Heights on Monday

Local time

10:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 to 18 mph 44% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 4:08AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 3:50AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

39m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to University Heights, OH covers 27.2 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Akron Expressway, I 271, Northfield Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.6 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.07 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 27.2 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 19.6 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to University Heights, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.

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