Austintown to Middletown is 260.1 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I-76 and I-71, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 97% highway driving, expect a straightforward trip focused on making good time. It's a practical choice if you need to get between these two areas efficiently, with a relatively short driving duration and manageable fuel costs.
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
130.1 miles from Austintown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
SR 4
27 mi
33m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
North Verity Parkway
4.3 mi
6m
I 80
3.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 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 Austintown, OH and Middletown, OH.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto CR 105
216 ft·13 sec·Ohltown Road
3
Turn sharp left onto SR 46
1.8 mi·3 min·North Canfield Niles Road
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·I 80
6
Continue on I 76
39 mi·44 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto SR 4
0.3 mi·42 sec·SR 4
Exit 41Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4
27 mi·32 min·SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 38Toward SR 73: Franklin, SpringboroUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 73
1.7 mi·3 min·East 2nd Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 73 Truck
1.1 mi·1 min·Riley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on SR 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Middletown Pike
21
Continue on SR 73
4.3 mi·6 min·North Verity Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on SR 4; SR 73
0.3 mi·38 sec·North Canal Street
23
Turn left onto Central Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Central Avenue
24
Turn left onto Clark Street
122 ft·5 sec·Clark Street
25
Arrive at destination
Clark Street
Trip Plan
Since this 5-hour drive is easily achievable in a single day, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the busiest rush hour traffic in any urban areas you might pass through. Plan for one fuel stop, as the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 100 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 98.8-mile mark on I-71, as it's the best place to top off before the final leg.
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 130.1 miles from Austintown, OH, or about 2h 29m 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austintown, 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 Austintown, OH
This is one driving day of about 260.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Austintown, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.9 and 251.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44.9 mi into trip|~52m 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
8
164.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
224.3 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
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 41
Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
8
224.6 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
8
251.2 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward SR 73: Franklin, Springboro
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 38
Toward SR 73: Franklin, Springboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.97 one way
$79.93 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$45.08
$90.15
premium
$4.99
$51.07
$102.14
diesel
$4.80
$49.11
$98.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78
0
$27.31
$12.48
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.76
$10.40
EV Truck/SUV
104
1
$36.41
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Austintown, OH
Morning
in Austintown on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
S 8 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Middletown, OH
Morning
in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM 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
4 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
5h 1m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 233.2
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 215.3
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 44.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway drive, with 97% of the 260.1 miles on major interstates like I-76 and I-71. You'll experience a long stretch of 98.8 miles on I-71 without needing to exit. Expect a steady cruising pace for most of the trip, with the transition to surface roads occurring only for the final 3% of the route, likely near your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 44.9 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 19 significant decision points across 260.1 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 44.9 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.3 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,289 ft649 ft
Total Climb
704 ft
Total Descent
1,186 ft
Highest Point
1,289 ft
~92.9 mi in
Elevation Range
640 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austintown, OH and Middletown, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and New Carlisle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 260.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 40 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 Middletown, 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.9 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.3 miles (SR 4): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Middletown, OH before the return drive.
