Akron to Marysville is 127 miles and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes via I 71, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Ohio. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that makes for a simple, single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78 mi
1h 23m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Marysville Road
15 mi
17m
State Route 37 East
5.8 mi
7m
East William Street
2.4 mi
2m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Sunbury Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Marysville, 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
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 131Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, DelawareUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 36; SR 37
5.8 mi·7 min·State Route 37 East
11
Continue on US 36; SR 37
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
12
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
2.4 mi·2 min·East William Street
13
Continue on US 36
15 mi·17 min·Marysville Road
14
Turn slight right onto East 5th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 5th Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a 127-mile drive taking under 2.5 hours, it’s easily a same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, you should have ample opportunity to refuel if needed without significant budget impact. Since the longest stretch on I 71 is 78 miles, plan a quick stop at a rest area or service plaza around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The flexibility of a short drive like this means you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 63.6 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marysville, 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 127.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 78 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 102.3 — 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
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.
8
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
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 131
Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.76 one way
$39.51 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$21.93
$43.85
premium
$4.91
$24.60
$49.21
diesel
$5.61
$28.11
$56.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.2
0
$13.37
$6.11
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.14
$5.09
EV Truck/SUV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Afternoon
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Marysville, OH
Afternoon
in Marysville on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
64 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m 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.
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?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on major roads like I 71. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 78 miles on I 71, offering a consistent driving experience for a significant portion of the trip. The Kenmore Expressway and Marysville Road will be the other main components of your journey, likely representing the approach to your destination. Expect a relatively smooth and fast-paced drive, characteristic of a modern interstate route designed for efficient travel.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 59 / Rand Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.3 miles you will encounter 8 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.
On the drive from Akron, OH to Marysville, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Delaware 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Marysville, OH before heading back.
