Akron to Hunter is 209 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 71 and SR 73, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. The majority of your travel will be on interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
104.5 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
163.7 mi
2h 58m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
SR 73
8.7 mi
12m
SR 122
4.8 mi
8m
Old 122 Road
3.8 mi
6m
US 42
3.3 mi
4m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 163.7 mi, about 2h 58m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 130 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,928 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,661
Quietest
2 AM
~228 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Hunter, 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
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45Toward SR 73: Waynesville
11
Turn right onto SR 73
8.7 mi·12 min·SR 73
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 42
3.3 mi·4 min·US 42
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto C-230
0.5 mi·53 sec·Old 122 Road
14
Enter roundabout onto C-230
100 ft·2 sec·Old 122 Road
15
Continue on C-230
3.3 mi·5 min·Old 122 Road
16
Continue on SR 122
4.8 mi·8 min·SR 122
17
Turn left onto Lynn Drive
85 ft·3 sec·Lynn Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Lynn Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 209-mile drive, consider leaving Akron in the morning to give yourself ample time. Since the total duration is just over 4 hours, it’s easily a same-day trip, but you can also take your time if you prefer. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so factor that into your budget. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break, but keep an eye on the fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 163.7-mile stretch on I 71.
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 104.5 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.7 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 1h 59m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hunter, 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 209 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 163.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 126.2 — 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
5
24.4 mi into trip|~32m in|I 71
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
126.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.70 one way
$65.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$36.81
$73.63
premium
$5.06
$41.60
$83.21
diesel
$6.18
$50.84
$101.69
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: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.03
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.29
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hunter, OH
Night
in Hunter on Sunday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SE 6 mph0% 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
3 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 3m 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 180.2
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 194.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on limited-access roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 163.7 miles on I 71. You'll transition to surface roads, like SR 73, near the end of your drive. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system for the bulk of the trip.
96% 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: 163.7 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 13 significant decision points across 209 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 0.4 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.
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 3m. Total distance: 209 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Hunter, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Hunter, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
