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...
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
188 mi
303 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sugar Creek, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Sugar Creek to Cleveland covers 216.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 17 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you navigate toward the coast of Lake Erie. With a estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip is budget-friendly and manageable as a single-day excursion. You should plan for one dedicated stop along the way to break up the journey. Given the duration, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics, making it an ideal choice for a straightforward day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
94 miles from Sugar Creek, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 188 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that trades high-speed interstate monotony for a more involved experience behind the wheel. You will navigate primarily via Alderman Road, Converse Street, and Hwy 312, which means you will spend 0% of your time on major highways. This route demands your full attention as you transition between local roads rather than cruising on wide, multi-lane interstates. Because this is a purely local-road journey, the character of the drive remains consistent throughout the 216.4-mile stretch. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes maneuvering through the landscape over raw speed.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 21 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.8 miles in near US 250.
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 24 significant decision points across 188 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 117.8 miles (US 250): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 250 toward US 250: Strasburg, Massillon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight left at fork toward East 14th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20 / East Roadway
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20 / Rockwell Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sugar Creek, OH to Cleveland, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Massillon along the way.
Massillon
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 21 | 65.2 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 77 | 43.1 mi | 46m |
| SR 13 | 24.9 mi | 37m |
| I 70 | 24.8 mi | 26m |
| SR 93 | 13.8 mi | 20m |
| South Wooster Avenue | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Maysville Pike | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| South Maysville Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sugar Creek, OH and Cleveland, OH.
Start on SR 550
Turn right onto CR 111
At end of road, turn right onto SR 13
Turn right onto SR 13
Turn slight left onto SR 13
Turn right onto Town Hwy 312
Turn right onto SR 13
Continue on SR 93
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 22; SR 93
Continue on US 22; SR 93
Continue on US 22; SR 93
Continue on US 22; SR 93
Turn right onto US 22; US 40; SR 93
Turn left onto US 22; US 40; SR 60; SR 93; SR 146
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Merge onto I 77
Take the exit onto US 250
Turn left onto US 250
Continue on SR 21
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto East 14th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto East 14th Street
Turn left onto Prospect Avenue East
Turn right onto East 9th Street
Turn left onto US 20
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20
Turn right onto Frankfort Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a local-road-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the potential congestion of town-to-town traffic. With a 3-hour and 17-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace, but remember to budget for your $32 in fuel before heading out. Plan your one recommended stop strategically to ensure you stay refreshed, as the frequent turns can be more mentally taxing than straight highway driving. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially when transitioning between Alderman Road and Converse Street, as local routes can sometimes be less intuitive than main thoroughfares. Embracing the slower pace of these local roads is the best way to enjoy this 216.4-mile transit.
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.
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 41 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sugar Creek, 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 Sugar Creek, OH
This is one driving day of about 188 miles and 4h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94 mi from Sugar Creek, OH · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 94 miles from Sugar Creek, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before SR 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.
The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$29.18 one way
$58.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $32.38 | $64.76 |
| premium | $4.91 | $36.33 | $72.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.51 | $83.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.74 | $9.02 |
| Efficient EV | 47 | 0 | $16.45 | $7.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.32 | $12.03 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Sugar Creek on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Cleveland on Saturday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
49°F
Cambridge, OH
94 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
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