Origin
Northwood, OH
Morning in Northwood on Thursday
Local time
11:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northwood, OH to Akron, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
130.4 mi
210 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northwood, OH
El Capra
Trip Overview
This 130.4-mile drive from Northwood, OH, to Akron, OH, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Ohio Turnpike and other major highways, this route is a highway-focused experience designed for efficient travel. With 97% of the drive on highways, you'll cover the distance quickly, making it an excellent option for a single-day excursion. Budget around $20 for fuel, and know that there are no designated stops, allowing you to set your own pace. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.2 miles from Northwood, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 130.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 130.4-mile journey, with 97% of the route featuring high-speed travel. You'll spend a significant stretch, a continuous 108 miles, on the Ohio Turnpike, which is designed for smooth, uninterrupted progress. The Akron Expressway will guide you towards your destination. This route is characterized by its efficiency rather than varied scenery, offering a predictable driving experience from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ohio Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 108 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and Akron Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 130.4 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 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 80, I 90, Ohio Turnpike: Chicago, Cleveland
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 1A
Toward I 80, I 90, Ohio Turnpike: Chicago, Clev...
8
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Cleveland
7
115.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward SR 8: Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 180
Toward SR 8: Akron
8
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hi...
7
116.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward SR 8 South: Akron
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Northwood, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Ohio Turnpike: Chicago and Cleveland.
Ohio Turnpike: Chicago
6.9 mi in
|
~9m
Cleveland
6.9 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Turnpike | 108 mi | 1h 55m |
| Akron Expressway | 12 mi | 14m |
| I 280 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Woodville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Mill Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Forge Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Goodkirk Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ohio Turnpike
— 108 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northwood, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Rood Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Rood Street
2
Turn right onto SR 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodville Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Woodville Road
4
Merge onto I 280
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 280
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 80, I 90, Ohio Turnpike: Chicago, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Cleveland
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80; I 90
70 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Ohio Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Ohio Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Ohio Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 180
Toward SR 8: Akron
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
Toward SR 8 South: Akron
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto SR 8
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Akron Expressway
Toward Akron
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 1B
Toward SR 59: Perkins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Goodkirk Street
332 ft
·
10 sec
·
Goodkirk Street
16
Continue on Goodkirk Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Goodkirk Street
17
Turn right onto North Forge Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Forge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mill Street
19
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
162 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
20
Continue on South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Main Street
21
Turn right onto West Bowery Street
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Bowery Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 29-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. There are no mandatory stops, so you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready and decide on your own breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is 108 miles on the Ohio Turnpike. A good tip for this route is to ensure you have your toll payment method ready, as the Ohio Turnpike is a toll road and can be navigated more smoothly with pre-paid options or by being aware of toll plazas.
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 65.2 miles from Northwood, OH, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Northwood, 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 Northwood, OH
This is one driving day of about 130.4 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Northwood, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ohio Turnpike for about 108 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.2 mi from Northwood, OH · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.2 miles from Northwood, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ohio Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108 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
$20.24 one way
$40.48 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $22.46 | $44.92 |
| premium | $4.91 | $25.20 | $50.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.79 | $57.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.40
Ohio Turnpike
(108 mi)
$5.40
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 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 | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| Efficient EV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.41 | $5.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.26 | $8.35 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning in Akron on Thursday
Local time
11:31 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
9 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
2h 29m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Northwood, OH to Akron, OH covers 130.4 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ohio Turnpike, Akron Expressway, I 280. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.2 miles from Northwood, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.24 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 17 significant decision points across 130.4 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 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Northwood, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Ohio Turnpike: Chicago and Cleveland.
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