Akron to Franklin Furnace is 229.3 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 71 and US 23, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, taking you from the Midwest region to the same region. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward journey if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route for its directness and manageable duration, especially if you prefer to stick to major roadways.
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
114.7 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
106.9 mi
1h 56m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
36.5 mi
47m
US 23
31.5 mi
42m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.5 mi
17m
US 52
6.4 mi
6m
South High Street
2.8 mi
4m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 45 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Franklin Furnace, 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
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
5.1 mi·5 min·I 71
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 101Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 EastUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 270
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, CirclevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
17
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi·4 min·South High Street
18
Continue on US 23
37 mi·47 min·Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·42 min·US 23
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
21
Continue on SR 823
17 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Merge onto US 52
6.4 mi·6 min·US 52
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward SR 253
24
Turn left onto SR 253
510 ft·12 sec·Gallia Pike
25
At end of road, turn right onto C-1
0.2 mi·40 sec·Gallia Pike
26
Turn sharp left onto C-268
76 ft·2 sec·Big Pete Road
27
Arrive at destination
C-268
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 36m duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day, so leaving in the morning provides ample daylight. The longest stretch without a major turn is over 100 miles on I 71, so plan a brief stop before or after this segment to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it's a budget-friendly option. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off I 71 onto US 23, as services may become less frequent in certain areas.
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 114.7 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.7 miles or 2h 10m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin Furnace, 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 229.3 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 106.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 133.6 — 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
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
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 101
Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
131.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.23 one way
$70.47 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.74
$79.48
premium
$4.99
$45.02
$90.04
diesel
$4.80
$43.30
$86.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.06
$9.17
EV Truck/SUV
91.7
1
$32.10
$14.68
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:39PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Franklin Furnace, OH
Morning
in Franklin Furnace on Sunday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:39PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
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
4h 36m 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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 174
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 106.9 miles on I 71, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for a considerable portion of your journey. While the majority is on main roads, expect transitions onto routes like Portsmouth - Columbus Road and US 23, which might offer a slightly different pace as you approach your destination. The drive generally maintains a direct path, prioritizing forward momentum over winding backroads.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Portsmouth - Columbus Road. 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 22 significant decision points across 229.3 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 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 131.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,396 ft567 ft
Total Climb
692 ft
Total Descent
1,085 ft
Highest Point
1,396 ft
~65.5 mi in
Elevation Range
829 ft
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 Franklin Furnace, OH, road signs point toward Grove City and Circleville.
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 36m. Total distance: 229.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Franklin Furnace, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 131.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin Furnace, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
