Akron to Pandora is 153.6 miles and takes about 3 hours via US 30, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day to complete this route, as it's well within a comfortable driving time. The majority of your travel will be on the interstate, making for a predictable and quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.8 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
48.7 mi
54m
Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
37.8 mi
40m
I 71
31.7 mi
33m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Napoleon Road
7.7 mi
11m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
SR 12
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 48.7 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,965 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,750
Quietest
2 AM
~224 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
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 Pandora, 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
32 mi·33 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 176Toward US 30: Wooster, MansfieldUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·37 sec
Toward US 30 West: MansfieldUse 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
38 mi·40 min·Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
6.3 mi·7 min·US 30
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 30
35 mi·37 min·US 30
15
Take the exit onto US 30 West to East Lincoln Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·US 30 West to East Lincoln Highway
Toward SR 696: Dayton, Toledo
16
At end of road, turn left onto SR 696
0.4 mi·48 sec·East Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on SR 696
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 696
0.3 mi·27 sec·North West Street
19
Continue on SR 696
7.7 mi·11 min·Napoleon Road
20
Turn right onto SR 12
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 12
21
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
355 ft·14 sec·North Jefferson Street
22
Turn left onto East Main Street
265 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour drive, departing Akron in the morning will allow you to arrive in Pandora with plenty of daylight. Since the route is relatively short at 153.6 miles, you can be flexible with your stops. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, so ensure you have a full tank before you leave Akron to minimize stops. Keep an eye out for the transition to US 30, as this is a significant portion of your travel and a good place to gauge your progress.
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 76.8 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pandora, 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 153.6 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 US 30 for about 48.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 143.6 — 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
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
7
143.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|SR 696 / East Lincoln Highway
At end of road, turn left onto SR 696 / East Lincoln Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.58 one way
$53.17 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$29.30
$58.61
premium
$5.43
$32.81
$65.62
diesel
$5.35
$32.35
$64.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
EV Truck/SUV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Evening
in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Areas Of Fog
W 3 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 25 at 2:15AM EDT until May 25 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 25 at 2:11AM EDT until May 25 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Pandora, OH
Evening
in Pandora on Wednesday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 25 at 2:15AM EDT until May 25 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 25 at 2:11AM EDT until May 25 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
64°F
Mansfield, OH
77 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
3 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
3h on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is primarily highway, with 91% of the 153.6 miles on interstates. You'll experience 48.7 miles on US 30 as the longest stretch of consistent road. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen late in your drive, around mile 143. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway and I-71.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.7 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway. 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 18 significant decision points across 153.6 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 56 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
1,357 ft774 ft
Total Climb
645 ft
Total Descent
832 ft
Highest Point
1,357 ft
~65.8 mi in
Elevation Range
583 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 Pandora, OH, road signs point toward Mansfield and Toledo.
Mansfield
56 mi in|~1h 6m
Toledo
143.1 mi in|~2h 43m|via US 30 West to East Lincoln Highway
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 3h. Total distance: 153.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.7 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Pandora, 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 20 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 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pandora, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
