This 155.9-mile drive from Urbana, OH to Akron, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71 and I-76, this route focuses on efficient highway travel through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick journey. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours. This route is ideal if you want to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
78 miles from Urbana, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 155.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 76% of this 155.9-mile trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-71, including a longest stretch of 78.1 miles on this interstate, before transitioning to I-76 and Delaware Avenue. The profile suggests a generally consistent driving experience, characteristic of major interstate travel. While not overly technical, the focus is on maintaining speed and covering distance efficiently. This is a route built for getting you there smoothly and directly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 78.1 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 29.7 miles in near US 36.
Driving Effort10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 155.9 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 29.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
29.7 mi into trip|~40m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward US 36 East: Delaware
8
132 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
132.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
7
152.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
153.4 mi into trip|~3h 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78.1 mi
1h 23m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Delaware Avenue
14.4 mi
16m
Scioto Street
10.7 mi
16m
SR 4
9.6 mi
10m
State Route 37 East
5.9 mi
8m
East Sandusky Street
5.4 mi
7m
US 36
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbana, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on US 68
86 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 36; SR 29
177 ft·3 sec·Scioto Street
3
Continue on US 36; SR 29
1.2 mi·2 min·Scioto Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 29
9.5 mi·14 min·Scioto Street
5
Continue on SR 29; SR 559
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
6
Turn left onto SR 4
5.4 mi·7 min·East Sandusky Street
7
Turn slight left onto SR 4
9.6 mi·10 min·SR 4
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 4
3.7 mi·4 min·US 36; SR 4
9
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 36
Exit 93Toward US 36 East: DelawareUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 36
14 mi·16 min·Delaware Avenue
11
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·West William Street
12
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
13
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.9 mi·8 min·State Route 37 East
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
15
Merge onto I 71
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
23
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
24
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this trip is best tackled in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Urbana in the morning will get you to Akron with plenty of daylight. While the drive is relatively short, plan for one stop to break up the 78.1-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spread out on interstate stretches. A practical tip: ensure your vehicle is ready for highway speeds, as you'll be on them for a significant portion of the journey.
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 78 miles from Urbana, OH, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 36m 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 29m
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 Urbana, 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 Urbana, OH
This is one driving day of about 155.9 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Urbana, 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 78.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78 mi from Urbana, OH
· 1h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 78 miles from Urbana, 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 78.1 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.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.20 one way
$48.39 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$26.85
$53.71
premium
$4.91
$30.13
$60.26
diesel
$5.61
$34.42
$68.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.37
$7.48
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.64
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 14, 2026
Origin
Urbana, OH
Afternoon
in Urbana on Friday
Local time
12:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Afternoon
in Akron on Friday
Local time
12:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph60% chanceLive forecast
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 4m 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 Urbana, OH to Akron, OH covers 155.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, Delaware Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78 miles from Urbana, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.20 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 15 significant decision points across 155.9 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 29.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Urbana, OH to Akron, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
How this page is built
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.
