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Trip from University Heights, OH to Springfield, OH

Data updated 33 minutes ago

Drive Time

3h 35m

Distance

183.7 mi

296 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 23m ★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m

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

city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States

University Heights, OH

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Clark County, Ohio, United States

Springfield, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from University Heights, OH to Springfield, OH covers 183.7 miles and takes about 3h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, US 36, I 271 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.3 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.51 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

91.9 miles from University Heights, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 3h 35m highway drive covering 183.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and US 36. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.3 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 28 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 89.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 36. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 183.7 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 0.1 miles (CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (SR 8 / Northfield Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.8 miles (I 271): 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.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Turn right onto CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | SR 8 / Northfield Road

Enter roundabout onto SR 8 / Northfield Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
8.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 271

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
122.5 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware

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. Exit 131 Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
6
149.5 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | US 36; SR 4

Keep slight left at fork onto US 36; SR 4 toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfi...

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 University Heights, OH to Springfield, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Delaware along the way.

Delaware

122.5 mi in | ~2h 19m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 89.3 mi 1h 35m
US 36 34.9 mi 42m
I 271 24.3 mi 26m
Marysville Road 14.3 mi 16m
State Route 37 East 5.8 mi 7m
Northfield Road 2.9 mi 5m
Warrensville Center Road 2.6 mi 6m
East William Street 2.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 89.3 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University Heights, OH and Springfield, OH.

1

Start on Silsby Road

301 ft · 17 sec · Silsby Road
2

Turn right onto CR 4

2.6 mi · 6 min · Warrensville Center Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn left onto SR 8

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Northfield Road
4

Enter roundabout onto SR 8

31 ft · 1 sec · Northfield Road
5

Continue on SR 8

2.7 mi · 5 min · Northfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn left onto SR 43

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Mueti Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 480 East, I 271 South: Youngstown
8

Merge onto I 480

1.7 mi · 2 min · Outerbelt South Freeway
9

Merge onto I 271; I 480

1.1 mi · 1 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

24 mi · 26 min · I 271
Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto I 71

89 mi · 1 hr 35 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 131 Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto US 36; SR 37

5.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 37 East
14

Continue on US 36; SR 37

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Road
15

Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521

2.4 mi · 2 min · East William Street
16

Continue on US 36

14 mi · 16 min · Marysville Road
17

Take the exit onto US 36

3.3 mi · 4 min · US 36
18

Take the exit onto US 36; SR 4

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 36; SR 4
Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 36; SR 4

31 mi · 38 min · US 36; SR 4
Toward US 36 West, SR 4 South: Urbana, Springfield
20

Turn straight onto SR 4

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Mitchell Boulevard
21

Turn left onto SR 4

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Belmont Avenue
22

Turn right onto SR 4

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lagonda Avenue
23

Turn right onto SR 4

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Warder Street
24

Continue on US 40; SR 4; SR 41

0.5 mi · 59 sec · East North Street
25

Turn left onto North Fountain Avenue

0.3 mi · 45 sec · North Fountain Avenue
26

Turn left onto East High Street

476 ft · 22 sec · East High Street
27

Turn left onto South Limestone Street

364 ft · 7 sec · South Limestone Street
28

Arrive at destination

South Limestone Street

Trip Plan

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 91.9 miles from University Heights, OH, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.3 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.9 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving University Heights, 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 University Heights, OH

This is one driving day of about 183.7 miles and 3h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from University Heights, 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 I 71 for about 89.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91.9 mi from University Heights, OH · 1h 46m into the drive

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

92 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

Mansfield, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.9 miles from University Heights, 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 89.3 miles.

Arriving in Springfield, OH

The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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

$28.51 one way

$57.02 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $31.64 $63.28
premium $4.91 $35.50 $71.01
diesel $5.61 $40.56 $81.12

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: 64.3 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 55.1 0 $19.29 $8.82
Efficient EV 45.9 0 $16.07 $7.35
EV Truck/SUV 73.5 0 $25.72 $11.76

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

University Heights, OH

Morning in University Heights on Wednesday

Local time

6:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, OH

Morning in Springfield on Wednesday

Local time

6:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Mansfield, OH

92 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

4 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 35m 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 University Heights, OH to Springfield, OH covers 183.7 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, US 36, 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 91.9 miles from University Heights, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.51 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 183.7 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 0.1 miles (CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (SR 8 / Northfield Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.8 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from University Heights, OH to Springfield, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Delaware along the way.

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