This 182-mile drive from Saint Marys, OH to Akron, OH will take you approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it an ideal candidate for a single day trip. With 94% of the journey on highways, you'll cover a good distance efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $28, so you can budget accordingly. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, expect familiar, accessible terrain throughout your travels.
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
91 miles from Saint Marys, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 182 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a substantial 94% of its mileage on high-speed roads. You'll experience a mostly uninterrupted flow, including an impressive longest stretch of 83.1 miles on US 30. The primary roads guiding you are US 30, I-71, and I-75, suggesting a consistent pace for much of the journey. Prepare for a driving experience characterized by efficiency and directness, rather than winding country lanes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 158 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 21 significant decision points across 182 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 158 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
158 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
158.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
6
176.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
178.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
8
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
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 Saint Marys, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Upper Sandusky along the way.
Upper Sandusky
37.2 mi in|~41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
83.1 mi
1h 31m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
I 75
24.5 mi
26m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
US 33
11.1 mi
12m
East Lincoln Highway
4.2 mi
7m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Marys, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on South Front Street
105 ft·8 sec·South Front Street
2
Turn right onto SR 29; SR 66
0.3 mi·47 sec·West Spring Street
3
Turn left onto SR 66
0.7 mi·1 min·North Spruce Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 27
5
Merge onto US 33
11 mi·12 min·US 33
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 38BToward I 75 North: Toledo
7
Merge onto I 75
24 mi·26 min·I 75
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward SR 696: Delphos, Upper Sandusky
9
Turn right onto SR 696
4.2 mi·7 min·East Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto CR 15 / TR 15
0.5 mi·52 sec·County Road 15 / Hancock Road
11
Turn left onto US 30
37 mi·39 min·US 30
12
Take the exit onto US 30
46 mi·51 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
14
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
22
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
23
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 28 minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single-day excursion from Saint Marys to Akron. You'll want to aim for an early start to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While the drive is largely highway, remember the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 83 miles, so plan for at least one fuel or rest stop. Consider pulling off around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel, ensuring you arrive in Akron feeling refreshed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91 miles from Saint Marys, OH, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 1h 43m 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 48m
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 Saint Marys, 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 Saint Marys, OH
This is one driving day of about 182 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Saint Marys, 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 US 30 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91 mi from Saint Marys, OH
· 1h 43m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 182
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.25 one way
$56.49 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$31.35
$62.70
premium
$4.91
$35.17
$70.35
diesel
$5.61
$40.18
$80.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Marys, OH
Morning
in Saint Marys on Friday
Local time
11:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Friday
Local time
11:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Shelby, OH
91 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
7 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
3h 28m 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 Saint Marys, OH to Akron, OH covers 182 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, I 71, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91 miles from Saint Marys, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 21 significant decision points across 182 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 158 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Saint Marys, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Upper Sandusky 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.
