Skip to main content

Trip from Stow, OH to Cleveland, OH

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

48m

Distance

35.7 mi

57 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min
4 AM
0h 45m ★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Summit County, Ohio, United States

Stow, OH

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States

Cleveland, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 35.7-mile drive from Stow to Cleveland, Ohio, is easily manageable in about 48 minutes, making it perfect for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on a highway-focused route, with 82% of the journey taking place on major freeways like the Akron Expressway and I-271. The estimated fuel cost is a low $5, reflecting the short distance and efficient travel. Given its brevity and minimal need for stops, this route offers a quick and convenient connection within the Midwest region. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient transit between these two Ohio locations.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 35.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 48-minute trip. With 82% of the drive on major freeways, you'll spend most of your time navigating at higher speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.5 miles along the Akron Expressway, offering a consistent pace. The route's profile is largely defined by its interstate nature, meaning you'll experience the predictable flow of highway travel rather than winding scenic byways. It's a functional drive designed for efficient transit.

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.
Akron Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Akron Expressway and Outerbelt South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in near I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 35.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
19.3 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
7
27.5 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the exit toward I 77 South, I 77 North: Akron, Cleveland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 77 South, I 77 North: Akron, Cleveland
8
27.6 mi into trip | ~35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 77 North: Cleveland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 20B Toward I 77 North: Cleveland
8
34.2 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward East 22nd Street, East 14th Street

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 162B Toward East 22nd Street, East 14th Street
8
34.3 mi into trip | ~44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward East 14th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward East 14th Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Akron Expressway 8.5 mi 9m
Outerbelt South Freeway 8.2 mi 10m
I 271 6.6 mi 7m
Willow Freeway 5.9 mi 7m
Graham Road 1.6 mi 3m
Darrow Road 0.5 mi 1m
East 14th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Euclid Avenue 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Akron Expressway — 8.5 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stow, OH and Cleveland, OH.

1

Start on SR 91

0.5 mi · 1 min · Darrow Road
2

Turn left onto Graham Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Graham Road
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward SR 8 North
4

Merge onto SR 8

8.5 mi · 9 min · Akron Expressway
5

Take the exit

1.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 17 Toward I 271 North: Erie Pennsylvania
6

Merge onto I 271

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 271
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 480

7.1 mi · 8 min · Outerbelt South Freeway
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 480

1.1 mi · 1 min · Outerbelt South Freeway
9

Take the exit

470 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 77 South, I 77 North: Akron, Cleveland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 20B Toward I 77 North: Cleveland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 77

5.9 mi · 7 min · Willow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 162B Toward East 22nd Street, East 14th Street Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward East 14th Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto East 14th Street

0.1 mi · 9 sec · East 14th Street
15

Keep slight left at fork onto East 14th Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · East 14th Street
16

Turn left onto Prospect Avenue East

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Prospect Avenue East
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Turn right onto East 9th Street

523 ft · 19 sec · East 9th Street
18

Turn left onto US 20

0.3 mi · 1 min · Euclid Avenue
19

At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20

518 ft · 27 sec · East Roadway
Use the right lane.
20

At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20

513 ft · 20 sec · Rockwell Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn right onto Frankfort Avenue

186 ft · 6 sec · Frankfort Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Frankfort Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.8 mi from Stow, OH · 23m into the drive

Downtown Northfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Northfield, OH

18 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

Brooklyn, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Northfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.8 miles from Stow, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cleveland, OH

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cleveland, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.54 one way

$11.08 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $6.15 $12.30
premium $4.91 $6.90 $13.80
diesel $5.61 $7.88 $15.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 10.7 0 $3.75 $1.71
Efficient EV 8.9 0 $3.12 $1.43
EV Truck/SUV 14.3 0 $5.00 $2.28

Gas CO2

12 kg

EV CO2

4 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

Stow, OH

Late night in Stow on Friday

Local time

1:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cleveland, OH

Late night in Cleveland on Friday

Local time

1:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Northfield, OH

18 mi in

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

1 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

48m 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 Stow, OH to Cleveland, OH covers 35.7 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Akron Expressway, Outerbelt South Freeway, I 271. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.8 miles from Stow, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.54 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 short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 35.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Stow, OH to Cleveland, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Stow, OH or browse trips ending in Cleveland, OH.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.