Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
32m
Distance
25.8 mi
42 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medina, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling between Medina and Akron is a quick, straightforward journey covering 25.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 32 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Given the short duration, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay or multiple stops along the way. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $4, this route is an incredibly cost-effective way to navigate between these two Midwest cities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day trip, the drive is manageable and efficient.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
12.9 miles from Medina, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, balancing local roads with a significant portion of highway travel. Approximately 52% of your journey takes place on highways, including I-76, Wadsworth Road, and the Innerbelt. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.5 miles while on I-76, which provides a steady pace before transitioning into the more localized sections of the drive. Expect the road's personality to shift as you move from the quieter outskirts of Medina into the more structured traffic patterns near Akron.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Lafayette Street.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 25.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 32m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Lafayette Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 76 East, US 224 East: Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 76 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| Wadsworth Road | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Innerbelt | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Bowery Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, OH and Akron, OH.
Start on US 42; SR 3
Turn left onto Lafayette Street
Continue on SR 57
Continue on SR 57
Take the exit
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
Because this drive is short and direct, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to worry about complex refueling strategies or rest stop logistics, as the 32-minute duration is easily handled in one go. Keep in mind that your route relies heavily on I-76, so checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid potential congestion on the highway. Since there are no required stops, use the time saved to focus on a smooth transition from the regional roads onto the Innerbelt as you arrive at your destination.
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.
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 25.8 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.9 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akron, OH than in the middle of the route.
Have your navigation ready before leaving Medina, OH.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medina, OH
This is one driving day of about 25.8 miles and 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.9 mi from Medina, OH · 15m into the drive
A short stop after about 25.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 12.9 miles from Medina, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Akron, OH if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.00 one way
$8.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $4.44 | $8.89 |
| premium | $4.91 | $4.99 | $9.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.70 | $11.39 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.71 | $1.24 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.26 | $1.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Medina on Wednesday
Local time
11:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
11:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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.
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