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Trip from Sunbury, OH to Akron, OH

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

102.2 mi

164 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 49m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m

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

Downtown Sunbury, OH, OH

Sunbury, OH

Ollie Craig

Trip Overview

The drive from Sunbury, OH to Akron, OH covers 102.2 miles and takes about 1h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, I 76, State Route 61 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68.6 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.86 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.1 miles from Sunbury, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 102.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 58m highway drive covering 102.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and I 76. The longest continuous stretch is about 68.6 miles on I 71.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 68.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 78.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

8
78.2 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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
78.4 mi into trip | ~1h 27m 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
96.5 mi into trip | ~1h 49m 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
98.4 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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
99.6 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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 Sunbury, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.

Cleveland

9.2 mi in | ~13m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 68.6 mi 1h 13m
I 76 18.4 mi 22m
State Route 61 8.8 mi 12m
Innerbelt 2.1 mi 2m
Kenmore Expressway 1.9 mi 2m
Columbus Street 0.4 mi 1m
West Bowery Street 0.2 mi <1m
West Center Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 68.6 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sunbury, OH and Akron, OH.

1

Start on SR 37

203 ft · 6 sec · Cherry Street
2

Turn right onto Columbus Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Columbus Street
3

Continue on SR 61

4.3 mi · 5 min · State Route 61
4

Enter roundabout onto SR 61

293 ft · 5 sec · State Route 61
5

Continue on SR 61

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Route 61
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 35 sec
Toward Cleveland
7

Merge onto I 71

69 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 209A Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 76; US 224

17 mi · 20 min · I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.9 mi · 2 min · Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59

2.1 mi · 2 min · Innerbelt
Exit 21C Toward SR 59 East: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on SR 59

406 ft · 13 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
15

Turn right onto West Center Street

459 ft · 19 sec · West Center Street
16

Turn left onto West Bowery Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Bowery Street
17

Arrive at destination

West Bowery Street

Trip Plan

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 51.1 miles from Sunbury, OH, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 22 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.1 miles or 58m 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 34m

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 Sunbury, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sunbury, OH

This is one driving day of about 102.2 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Sunbury, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 68.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 51.1 mi from Sunbury, OH · 58m into the drive

Downtown Ashland, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ashland, OH

51 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

Galion, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ashland, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.1 miles from Sunbury, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 miles.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.86 one way

$31.72 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $17.60 $35.21
premium $4.91 $19.75 $39.50
diesel $5.61 $22.56 $45.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.7 0 $10.73 $4.91
Efficient EV 25.6 0 $8.94 $4.09
EV Truck/SUV 40.9 0 $14.31 $6.54

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 16, 2026

Origin

Sunbury, OH

Evening in Sunbury on Thursday

Local time

6:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SW 15 mph 56% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 3:16PM EDT until April 16 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Destination

Akron, OH

Evening in Akron on Thursday

Local time

6:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

W 13 mph 86% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 3:16PM EDT until April 16 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

68°F

Ashland, OH

51 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

2 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

1h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Sunbury, OH to Akron, OH covers 102.2 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, State Route 61. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.1 miles from Sunbury, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.86 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sunbury, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.

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