If you are planning a trip from Akron to Arcanum, expect a journey covering 214.4 miles across the Ohio landscape. The drive takes approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes of actual road time, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them feels like a steady trek through familiar territory. You should budget roughly $32 for fuel to complete this one-way transit. With only one recommended stop, you can easily handle the distance in a single day without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel itinerary simple and efficient.
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
107.2 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
71.2 mi
1h 18m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
SR 49
12.5 mi
14m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
East South Street
2.2 mi
5m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Arcanum, OH.
1
Start on West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·West Bowery Street
2
Turn right onto West Center Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·West Center Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 59
0.1 mi·15 sec·Rand Avenue
4
Turn straight onto SR 59
1.8 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
5
Merge onto I 76; I 77
1.0 mi·1 min·I 76; I 77
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto SR 49
0.3 mi·43 sec·SR 49
Exit 24Toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, GreenvilleUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 49
12 mi·13 min·SR 49
Toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, GreenvilleUse the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto 49A
2.2 mi·5 min·East South Street
17
Turn left onto South Main Street
90 ft·2 sec·South Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 4-minute travel time, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on local streets. Since this route is entirely off the highway, plan for a slightly slower pace than you might be used to on major interstates. Utilize your one recommended stop strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before finishing the final leg of the journey. Because the route is turn-heavy, keep a reliable GPS handy to navigate the transitions between West Center Street, Rand Avenue, and the Innerbelt with confidence. Keeping your $32 fuel budget in mind, fill up your tank before you leave Akron to ensure you have plenty of range for the local roads ahead.
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 107.2 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 47 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 2m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arcanum, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Akron, 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 Akron, OH
This is one driving day of about 214.4 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Akron, 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 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 200 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
7
23.1 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
8
123.1 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
8
199.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|SR 49
Take the exit onto SR 49 toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
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 24
Toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
8
200 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|SR 49
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 49 toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.27 one way
$66.55 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$36.93
$73.86
premium
$4.91
$41.44
$82.87
diesel
$5.61
$47.34
$94.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.76
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.02
$13.72
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 19, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arcanum, OH
Morning
in Arcanum on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live 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
23 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
4h 4m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route relies on navigating West Center Street, Rand Avenue, and the Innerbelt to make progress. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend the entire 214.4 miles on local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares. This creates a more involved driving experience where you must stay alert for frequent changes in direction. Expect a steady, winding pace that keeps you engaged as you transition from the Akron area toward your destination in Arcanum.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
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 214.4 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 3.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Akron, OH and Arcanum, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Greenville.
Akron is a city of almost 200,000 people (2019) in the Northeast Ohio region in Summit County. Akron is proud of its heritage as a center of industry, and now offers visitors a wide range of recreational and cultural attractions, food experiences, and shopping.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 214.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arcanum, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Arcanum, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
