This 209.1-mile drive from Akron to Pleasant Hill, Ohio, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under four hours, making it an ideal day trip. The route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 94% of the journey on major interstates and expressways like I-71. You'll spend approximately $32 on fuel for this journey, which includes one recommended stop. The overall feel is practical and efficient, perfect for getting from point A to point B without much fuss as you travel within the Midwest region.
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
104.6 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
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
61.1 mi
1h 6m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
I 75
11.1 mi
12m
Arthur Road
6.3 mi
8m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 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 Pleasant Hill, 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
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward I 75: Dayton, ToledoUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 73Toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow FallsUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 55
0.4 mi·47 sec·SR 55
19
Turn left onto SR 718
6.3 mi·8 min·Arthur Road
20
Continue on SR 718
0.6 mi·1 min·East Monument Street
21
Arrive at destination
SR 718
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under four hours, this drive from Akron to Pleasant Hill is best tackled as a single-day excursion. You can depart anytime, but an early morning start will allow for a relaxed pace, especially since only one stop is generally recommended. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 100 miles on I-71, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $32 makes this an economical choice for a weekend getaway or an efficient business trip.
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 104.6 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pleasant Hill, 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 209.1 miles and 3h 58m.
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 98.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 201.6 — 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
123.1 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
8
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Dayton, Toledo
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 33
Toward I 75: Dayton, Toledo
8
201.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow Falls
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 73
Toward SR 55: Troy, Ludlow Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.13 one way
$64.26 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$36.24
$72.48
premium
$4.99
$41.05
$82.11
diesel
$4.80
$39.48
$78.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.96
$10.04
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.30
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.27
$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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Monday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 14 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Pleasant Hill, OH
Late night
in Pleasant Hill on Monday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 to 15 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
84°F
Ashley, OH
105 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
1 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
3h 58m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 187.5
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 180.3
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 3-hour and 58-minute drive, with 94% of the mileage on expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.8 miles on I-71, offering a solid period of consistent speed. While the majority of the route utilizes main roads like I-71, West Freeway, and Kenmore Expressway, the character remains largely consistent with its highway profile, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West 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 17 significant decision points across 209.1 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 123.1 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
1,268 ft853 ft
Total Climb
815 ft
Total Descent
844 ft
Highest Point
1,268 ft
~74.7 mi in
Elevation Range
415 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 Pleasant Hill, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Toledo.
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 58m. Total distance: 209.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Pleasant Hill, 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 29 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 123.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Pleasant Hill, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
