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...
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
158.9 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deshler, OH
Israyosoy S.
This 158.9-mile drive from Deshler, OH to Akron, OH is a straightforward 3-hour, 11-minute journey, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll be spending about 92% of your time on highways, so expect a relatively fast-paced commute. The estimated fuel cost is around $25, which is quite manageable for a day excursion. Given its efficiency and the fact that both locations are within the Midwest region, this route is designed for getting you from point A to point B without much fuss. It’s a practical option when you need to cover ground efficiently within Ohio.
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
79.4 miles from Deshler, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 158.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a substantial 92% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 46.4-mile segment on US 30. The primary roads guiding you are US 30, I-71, and I-76, indicating a pattern of interstate travel for much of the trip. This highway-centric profile suggests a drive characterized by steady progress rather than winding backroads, allowing for a predictable and direct travel experience.
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 25.3 miles in near US 68; SR 15.
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 18 significant decision points across 158.9 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 25.3 miles (US 68; SR 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 68; SR 15 toward US 68, SR 15: Kenton, Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Deshler, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Columbus along the way.
Columbus
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 46.4 mi | 51m |
| I 71 | 31.9 mi | 34m |
| I 76 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| US 68 | 17.7 mi | 21m |
| US 23 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| I 75 | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| SR 18 | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Deshler Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Deshler, OH and Akron, OH.
Start on East Maple Street
Continue on SR 18
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 18
Turn straight onto SR 18; SR 235
Continue on SR 18; SR 235
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 18
Continue on SR 18
Enter roundabout onto SR 18
Continue on SR 18
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto US 68; SR 15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 68; SR 15
Continue on US 23
Take the exit onto US 30
Take the exit
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 76; US 224
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
Continue on SR 59
Turn right onto West Center Street
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
Arrive at destination
For this 3-hour, 11-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to arrive in Akron with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 46.4 miles on US 30. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Planning around the $25 fuel cost will ensure you have a smooth and budget-friendly travel experience.
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.
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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 39m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akron, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Deshler, 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 Deshler, OH
This is one driving day of about 158.9 miles and 3h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.4 mi from Deshler, OH · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Deshler, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
Regular Gas
$24.66 one way
$49.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $27.37 | $54.74 |
| premium | $4.91 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.08 | $70.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.68 | $7.63 |
| Efficient EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.25 | $10.17 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Deshler on Friday
Local time
2:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Akron on Friday
Local time
2:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
69°F
Shelby, OH
79 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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