Akron to Saint Marys is 181.5 miles and takes about 3 hours 28 minutes via US 30, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Ohio, covering a familiar Midwest landscape. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a drive under four hours, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace or an early arrival. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B 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
90.8 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m 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
I 75
24.1 mi
25m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
US 33
10.6 mi
11m
Innerbelt
1.8 mi
2m
I 76
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 48.7 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,992 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,887
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 98 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 Saint Marys, 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·54 sec·East Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 75
24 mi·25 min·I 75
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 110Toward US 33: Bellefontaine, Saint Marys
20
Keep slight left at fork
125 ft·5 sec
Exit 110Toward US 33 East: Bellefontaine
21
Turn right onto US 33
11 mi·11 min·US 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 27B-AToward SR 66: Saint Marys, SpencervilleUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 27
24
Turn straight onto SR 66
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 66
25
Turn right onto SR 29; SR 66
0.3 mi·47 sec·East Spring Street
26
Turn left onto South Front Street
105 ft·4 sec·South Front Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Front Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 28-minute drive time, leaving Akron in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. You'll only need one stop along the way, so plan it strategically for a break or fuel. With a fuel cost estimate of $30, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at your stop to avoid any surprises. Since this is a relatively short, one-day trip covering 181.5 miles, you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-71 to US 30, as this is a key point where the road type changes.
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 90.8 miles from Akron, OH, or about 1h 45m 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.8 miles or 1h 45m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Marys, 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 181.5 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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.
The midpoint is around 90.8 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 179.5 — 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
8
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward SR 66: Saint Marys, Spencerville
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 27B-A
Toward SR 66: Saint Marys, Spencerville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.88 one way
$55.75 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$31.44
$62.88
premium
$4.98
$35.60
$71.20
diesel
$5.60
$40.01
$80.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.5
0
$19.06
$8.71
Efficient EV
45.4
0
$15.88
$7.26
EV Truck/SUV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Night
in Akron on Wednesday
Local time
10:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 2 to 8 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:53PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:53PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Saint Marys, OH
Night
in Saint Marys on Wednesday
Local time
10:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:53PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:53PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM 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 28m 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 drive is primarily highway, with 96% of the 181.5 miles on major roads like I-71 and US 30. You'll encounter the longest stretch without exiting on US 30 for 48.7 miles, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near your destination, as the highway portion concludes. Expect a high volume of exits for much of the trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 23 significant decision points across 181.5 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
1,321 ft863 ft
Total Climb
705 ft
Total Descent
795 ft
Highest Point
1,321 ft
~64.8 mi in
Elevation Range
457 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 Saint Marys, 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 28m. Total distance: 181.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m 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 48.7 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Saint Marys, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Marys, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
