Origin
South Zanesville, OH
Night in South Zanesville on Wednesday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
112.6 mi
181 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Zanesville, OH
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from South Zanesville to Akron, you are looking at a straightforward 112.6-mile journey through the heart of Ohio. Clocking in at approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, specifically I-70 and I-77, ensuring a consistent pace throughout the trip. Budgeting roughly $17 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Because both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. It is a practical, efficient route that prioritizes speed and reliability over winding backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.3 miles from South Zanesville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel takes place on high-speed roads. The character of the drive is defined by efficiency, marked by a significant 82-mile stretch on I-77 that allows for steady cruising. You will begin by navigating local connections like Wayne Avenue before merging onto the interstate system for the bulk of the transit. While the route lacks technical curves or rural two-lane variety, the interstate infrastructure provides a predictable environment for long-distance travel. The transition from the local streets of South Zanesville to the busier highway corridors leading into Akron defines the shift in your driving pace.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Old River Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH is easy. At 2h 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Old River Road | — | — |
| South River Road | — | — |
| Wayne Avenue | — | — |
| 9th Street | — | — |
| Underwood Street | — | — |
| I 70 East | — | — |
| I 77 North | — | — |
| Carroll Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Old River Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Zanesville, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Beechrock Drive
328 ft
·
19 sec
·
Beechrock Drive
2
Turn left onto Old River Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old River Road
3
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
4
Turn left onto South River Road
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
South River Road
5
Continue on Wayne Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Wayne Avenue
6
Continue on 9th Street
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
9th Street
7
Continue on Underwood Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Underwood Street
8
Take the ramp right toward I 70 East: Wheeling
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 70 East: Wheeling
9
Merge slight left
25 mi
·
26 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 77 North: Cleveland
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 77 North: Cleveland
11
Merge slight left
82 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue
13
Turn straight onto Fountain Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Fountain Street
14
Continue on Fountain Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Fountain Street
15
Turn left onto East Market Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Market Street
16
Turn left onto South Forge Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Forge Street
17
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mill Street
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Main Street
161 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
19
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Main Street
20
Turn right onto West Bowery Street
72 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Bowery Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but it is wise to account for potential traffic as you approach the Akron area. Since there are zero planned stops in the itinerary, you should fuel up before leaving South Zanesville to avoid unnecessary diversions. The 82-mile stretch on I-77 is the most critical portion of your drive, so check local traffic reports for that corridor before you hit the road. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving early in the morning to beat the peak congestion periods. Keep your $17 fuel estimate in mind as a baseline, but remember to factor in local fluctuations if you plan on idling in traffic near 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.
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 56.3 miles from South Zanesville, OH, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
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 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
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 South Zanesville, 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 South Zanesville, OH
This is one driving day of about 112.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from South Zanesville, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.3 mi from South Zanesville, OH · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.3 miles from South Zanesville, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.48 one way
$34.95 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $19.39 | $38.79 |
| premium | $4.91 | $21.76 | $43.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.86 | $49.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.82 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.85 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.76 | $7.21 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Night in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Powell, OH
56 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
2h 11m 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 South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH covers 112.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Old River Road, South River Road, Wayne Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.3 miles from South Zanesville, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.48 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.
The drive from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH is easy. At 2h 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from South Zanesville, OH to Akron, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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