Obetz, OH to Akron, OH is 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily navigating through the Midwest region of Ohio. Expect a drive focused on major highways, making it an efficient choice for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. With a relatively short duration and a predictable route, this trip is ideal for a quick transit between these two Ohio cities.
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
67 miles from Obetz, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
101.8 mi
1h 51m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Groveport Road
3.2 mi
6m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
South Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
Frank-Refugee Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
South Innerbelt
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Obetz, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Groveport Road
3.2 mi·6 min·Groveport Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward State Route 104, I 71: 104 South, I 71Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto SR 104
1.4 mi·1 min·Frank-Refugee Expressway
4
Continue on Frank Road
124 ft·1 sec·Frank Road
Use the slight right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 89Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 71
1.7 mi·2 min·South Freeway
7
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
19
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
20
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, 1-day trip of just over 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave Obetz in the morning to take advantage of daylight and reach Akron with plenty of time for your destination. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along I 71 for fuel or a quick break. The primary roads are interstates, so keep an eye on typical highway conditions for traffic, especially as you approach the Akron area. Your estimated fuel cost is around $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before starting.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Obetz, OH, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 miles or 1h 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 2h 4m
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 Obetz, 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 Obetz, OH
This is one driving day of about 133.9 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Obetz, 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 101.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 131.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward State Route 104, I 71: 104 South, I 71
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward State Route 104, I 71: 104 South, I 71
8
8.6 mi into trip|~14m 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
110 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
8
131.4 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|SR 59 / Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.78 one way
$41.56 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$23.06
$46.13
premium
$4.91
$25.88
$51.76
diesel
$5.61
$29.56
$59.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.2
0
$14.06
$6.43
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
EV Truck/SUV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Obetz, OH
Afternoon
in Obetz on Saturday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Afternoon
in Akron on Saturday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
67 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 133.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 71, experiencing a longest stretch of 101.8 miles on this highway. The route is largely characterized by fast-paced travel, allowing for consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, you will briefly use Groveport Road, offering a slight variation before rejoining the highway system. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 101.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 133.9 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Obetz, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wheeling along the way.
Wheeling
6.9 mi in|~11m|via I 71
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 133.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Obetz, OH to Akron, OH covers 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, Groveport 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 67 miles from Obetz, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.78 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 133.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Obetz, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wheeling along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
How this page is built
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.
