Spanning 226.8 miles across the heart of Ohio, this route connects Akron to Union City in approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes. Since the drive is entirely contained within the Midwest, you will experience consistent regional landscapes throughout your journey. With a total estimated fuel cost of $34, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You should plan for one stop to break up the journey, as the route is manageable for most drivers without requiring an overnight stay. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of pace, this direct path offers a straightforward way to cross the state.
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
113.4 miles from Akron, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m 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
South Main Street
22.6 mi
29m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
US 33
12.6 mi
13m
Canal Street
10.8 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 48.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, OH and Union City, 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
13 mi·13 min·US 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on SR 29
8.9 mi·10 min·SR 29
23
Turn left onto US 127; SR 29; SR 703
23 mi·29 min·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto SR 47
2.5 mi·4 min·State Route 47
25
Continue on SR 47
11 mi·18 min·Canal Street
26
Continue on SR 47
0.6 mi·52 sec·East Elm Street
27
Arrive at destination
SR 47
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4.5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier freeway sections. Since the trip requires only one stop, look for a convenient location midway through your journey to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep your $34 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as prices may fluctuate between urban and rural segments. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your own energy levels. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your navigation closely while transitioning between US 30 and the interstate systems to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 113.4 miles from Akron, OH, or about 2h 11m 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 11m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, 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 226.8 miles and 4h 31m.
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 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 21
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
$35.20 one way
$70.40 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$39.06
$78.13
premium
$4.91
$43.83
$87.67
diesel
$5.61
$50.07
$100.15
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: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.81
$10.89
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.07
EV Truck/SUV
90.7
1
$31.75
$14.52
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny
S 6 to 14 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Union City, OH
Morning
in Union City on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
S 9 to 22 mph5% chanceLive forecast
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 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 31m 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.
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of your travel takes place on high-speed roads. You will rely on a combination of US 30, the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, and I-71 to make steady progress toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 48.7-mile segment on US 30, which allows for consistent cruising. While the route prioritizes speed and efficiency, be prepared for the transitions between these primary thoroughfares. The road maintains a practical, functional character that prioritizes getting you to Union City as reliably as possible.
83% 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 21 significant decision points across 226.8 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,387 ft842 ft
Total Climb
1,126 ft
Total Descent
978 ft
Highest Point
1,387 ft
~66.1 mi in
Elevation Range
545 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 Union City, OH, road signs point toward Mansfield, Toledo and Saint Marys.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 226.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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 Union City, 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 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 Union City, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
