Akron to Payne is 195.7 miles and takes about 3h 45m via US 30 and I-71, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration and focused route, it's a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
97.9 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
92.7 mi
1h 42m
Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
37.8 mi
40m
I 71
31.7 mi
33m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
SR 49
8.6 mi
15m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 42m
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 Payne, 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
79 mi·1 hr 24 min·US 30
15
Continue on SR 49
8.6 mi·15 min·SR 49
16
Turn left onto SR 613
169 ft·5 sec·West Townline Street
17
Turn right
40 ft·2 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 1-day drive, you have the flexibility to leave when it's most convenient. Aim to depart Akron in the morning to make the most of daylight. With a total drive time of under 4 hours, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 92.7-mile stretch on US 30, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 97.9 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.9 miles or 1h 53m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Payne, 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 195.7 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 92.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 56.3 — 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.07 one way
$60.14 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$33.92
$67.83
premium
$4.99
$38.42
$76.85
diesel
$4.80
$36.95
$73.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.55
$9.39
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
EV Truck/SUV
78.3
0
$27.40
$12.52
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Smoke
NW 3 to 8 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Payne, OH
Morning
in Payne on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland 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
3h 45m 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 overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of it on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate and US highways, making for a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.7 miles on US 30, so plan your stops accordingly. The primary roads include Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway and I-71, which generally offer smooth sailing and minimal traffic slowdowns.
98% 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: 92.7 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.4 miles in near SR 59 / Rand Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 195.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,309 ft748 ft
Total Climb
851 ft
Total Descent
1,063 ft
Highest Point
1,309 ft
~69.9 mi in
Elevation Range
561 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 Payne, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mansfield 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 3h 45m. Total distance: 195.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.7 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Payne, 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 24 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 — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Payne, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
