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Trip from Akron, OH to Bethlehem, OH

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

78.1 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in the State of Palestine

Bethlehem, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to head from Akron to Bethlehem, you are looking at a straightforward 78.1-mile journey across Ohio. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. Since the entire drive stays within the Midwest, you won't experience any major regional transitions or terrain shifts. Budgeting about $12 for fuel should be sufficient for the round trip, keeping your overhead costs quite low. This route is ideal for those who prefer local roads over high-speed interstates, as you will navigate through West Center Street, Rand Avenue, and the Innerbelt. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that works perfectly for a quick getaway or a necessary commute.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

39.1 miles from Akron, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 31.7 mi 33m
Kenmore Expressway 19.8 mi 24m
US 30 7.6 mi 9m
Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway 5.1 mi 5m
Lincoln Highway 3.1 mi 4m
SR 61 2.6 mi 4m
Innerbelt 1.8 mi 2m
North Seltzer Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 31.7 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Bethlehem, 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: Barberton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Exit 1A Toward I 71 South: Columbus Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 71

32 mi · 33 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 176 Toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 30 West: Mansfield Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto US 30

7.6 mi · 9 min · US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 30

5.1 mi · 5 min · Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward Ontario, Crestline
14

Turn right onto Lincoln Highway

3.1 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
15

Continue on East Main Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
16

Turn right onto SR 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Seltzer Street
17

Turn straight onto SR 61

2.6 mi · 4 min · SR 61
18

Turn straight onto SR 61

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Route 61
19

Turn right

71 ft · 5 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits you best. Because the drive is only 1 hour and 37 minutes, there is no need to plan for overnight stops or extensive rest breaks. Keep in mind that this is a turn-heavy route, so double-check your GPS directions before departing to ensure you are comfortable navigating the transitions between West Center Street and the Innerbelt. Use your $12 fuel budget as a baseline, but consider topping off your tank in Akron before you head out to ensure you have a smooth, uninterrupted run to Bethlehem. Staying alert through the local intersections is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival.

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 39.1 miles from Akron, OH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 17 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.1 miles or 48m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Akron, OH

This is one driving day of about 78.1 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Akron, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 31.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Ashland, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ashland, OH

39 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

Wadsworth, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ashland, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

The Lockview Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Akron, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13302525128

Visit website

Akron Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Akron, Ohio

0.6 mi

Alexandris Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wadsworth, Ohio

2.2 mi

The Lockview Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13302525128

Visit website

Akron Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+13303760600

Visit website

Alexandris Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Wadsworth, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13303360203

Visit website

Al's Corner Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Barberton, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13304757978

Visit website

A Walk In The Park Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13305369255

Visit website

Waterloo Restaurant & Catering

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+13307735158

Visit website

The Rose Villa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13306445522

Visit website

The Blue Door Café & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–1:30 pm

+13309269774

Visit website

Ken Stewart's Grille

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $100 or ab

Akron, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13308672555

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 56.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | SR 59 / Rand Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto SR 59 / Rand Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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
56 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield

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 176 Toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield
7
56.3 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West: Mansfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 30 West: Mansfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.12 one way

$24.24 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $13.45 $26.90
premium $4.91 $15.09 $30.19
diesel $5.61 $17.24 $34.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.4 0 $8.20 $3.75
Efficient EV 19.5 0 $6.83 $3.12
EV Truck/SUV 31.2 0 $10.93 $5.00

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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

7:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethlehem, OH

Morning in Bethlehem on Tuesday

Local time

7:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Ashland, OH

39 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 37m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Forget about the monotony of long-haul interstate cruising; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, meaning your focus will be entirely on navigating local thoroughfares. Because the path relies on streets like Rand Avenue and the Innerbelt, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience that requires constant attention to turns rather than cruise control. There are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches here, so the pace remains consistent and deliberate. You will feel the true character of the local infrastructure as you maneuver through these connected city routes.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.7 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 59 / Rand Avenue.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.4 miles (SR 59 / Rand Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

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 Bethlehem, OH, road signs point toward Mansfield, Ontario and Crestline.

Mansfield

56 mi in | ~1h 6m

Ontario

69.4 mi in | ~1h 22m

Crestline

69.4 mi in | ~1h 22m

About the Cities

Starting in Akron, OH

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Bethlehem, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (SR 59 / Rand Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bethlehem, OH before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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