Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Akron, OH to Sardinia, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
225 mi
362 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Akron, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Sardinia, OH
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
Akron to Sardinia is 225 miles and takes about 4 hours 28 minutes via I 71 and other roads, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Ohio. Expect a route that is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
112.5 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 158 mi | 2h 52m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 19.8 mi | 24m |
| Broadway Street South | 19 mi | 27m |
| North South Street | 11.5 mi | 18m |
| James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| US 68 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Innerbelt | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 76 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 158 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,967 veh/hr typical · worst 2,666
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Sardinia, 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: Barberton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
102 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
56 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 50
Toward US 68: Wilmington
11
Turn left onto US 68
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 68
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto US 68
11 mi
·
18 min
·
North South Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 68
19 mi
·
27 min
·
Broadway Street South
14
Enter roundabout
253 ft
·
4 sec
Toward SR 32 East
15
Continue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward SR 32 East
16
Merge onto SR 32
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto C-76
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Purdy Road
18
Continue on C-76
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
C-76
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Akron in the morning to arrive in Sardinia by mid-afternoon. With a total duration under 5 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 158-mile stretch on I 71 where services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 112.5 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158 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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.5 miles or 2h 8m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sardinia, 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 225 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 158 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.5 miles from Akron, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Dupre Roadside Park
0.1 mi from route
Brown County SR 32 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 126.2 — 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.
6
126.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.57 one way
$69.15 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $38.99 | $77.99 |
| premium | $4.99 | $44.18 | $88.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.48 | $84.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.69 | $9.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90 | 1 | $31.50 | $14.40 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning in Akron on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 16 mph
86% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:18PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:10PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Sardinia, OH
Morning in Sardinia on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 13 mph
49% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:18PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:10PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
4h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 178.4
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 178.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 82% of it on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time cruising on I 71, including a stretch of 158 miles. The drive transitions from highway to surface streets like Broadway Street South as you approach your destination. Be prepared for more frequent exits and changes in speed limits once you leave the main interstate.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. 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 Effort
7/10
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 225 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 ft
703 ft
Total Climb
828 ft
Total Descent
828 ft
Highest Point
1,309 ft
~80.3 mi in
Elevation Range
606 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Akron, OH
Full guide →Founded 1825
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
Arriving in Sardinia, OH
Full guide →Founded 1830
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 225 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m 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 158 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Sardinia, 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 26 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 — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sardinia, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Sardinia, OH
More trips to Sardinia, OH
Explore more options from Akron, OH or browse trips ending in Sardinia, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.