Akron to Etna is 245.3 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 77, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Ohio, taking you through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. The relatively short duration and manageable distance mean you won't need to plan for an overnight stay, focusing instead on efficient travel.
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
122.6 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
91.8 mi
1h 38m
Akron Expressway
44.9 mi
51m
SR 7
36.9 mi
43m
Front Street
23.5 mi
38m
US 35
16 mi
17m
Corridor D
10.2 mi
11m
East Main Street
7 mi
12m
SR 735
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 91.8 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-77
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,777 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,130
Quietest
2 AM
~102 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Etna, OH.
1
Start on West Bowery Street
72 ft·7 sec·West Bowery Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
13 ft·0 sec·East Mill Street
4
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Mill Street
5
Continue on South Forge Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·South Forge Street
6
Turn right onto SR 18
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Market Street
7
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Goodkirk Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward SR 8 South
9
Merge onto SR 8
45 mi·51 min·Akron Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
92 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
12
Turn right onto US 50
10 mi·11 min·Corridor D
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
0.6 mi·1 min·US 50
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
14
Merge onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
26 mi·30 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
9.6 mi·11 min
16
Continue on SR 7
10 mi·12 min·SR 7
17
Turn right onto SR 735
1.4 mi·1 min·SR 735
18
Merge onto US 35
16 mi·17 min·US 35
19
Turn left onto SR 279
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 279
20
Turn left onto SR 279
0.5 mi·49 sec·SR 279
21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 279
7.0 mi·12 min·East Main Street
22
Turn right onto SR 279
0.2 mi·28 sec·Madison Street
23
At end of road, turn left onto SR 93; SR 279
24 mi·38 min·Front Street
24
Turn left onto CR 4
0.3 mi·40 sec·Etna-Waterloo Road
25
Arrive at destination
CR 4
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 55m driving time, leaving Akron in the morning will allow you to reach Etna with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $38, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider using your longest stretch of 91.8 miles on I 77 for a sustained driving period, planning your stop shortly after. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Etna, to ensure you have enough for the final leg of your 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 122.6 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.8 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 17m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Etna, 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 245.3 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 77 for about 91.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 148.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Mill Street
Enter roundabout onto East Mill Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|Goodkirk Street
Turn right onto Goodkirk Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge onto SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.4 mi into trip|~55m in|I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
148.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athe...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.38 one way
$76.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$43.21
$86.42
premium
$5.06
$48.83
$97.66
diesel
$6.18
$59.67
$119.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.76
$11.77
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
EV Truck/SUV
98.1
1
$34.34
$15.70
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NW 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Etna, OH
Morning
in Etna on Tuesday
Local time
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Washington, WV
123 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
1 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 55m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, with 79% of the route on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 91.8 miles on I 77. After the highway portions, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. You'll notice a consistent flow of exits and merging traffic typical of major interstate travel for much of the drive.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.8 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and Akron Expressway. 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 East Mill Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 245.3 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 (East Mill Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (Goodkirk Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (SR 8 / Akron Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,079 ft563 ft
Total Climb
447 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
1,079 ft
~17.5 mi in
Elevation Range
516 ft
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 Akron, OH to Etna, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Pomeroy along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Goodyear Airdock — located in Akron, Ohio
•Akron Public Library — Carnegie library in Akron, Ohio
•CitiCenter Building — historic building in Akron, Ohio, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 245.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.8 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Etna, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Mill Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (Goodkirk Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (SR 8 / Akron Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Etna, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
