Origin
Bellefontaine, OH
Afternoon in Bellefontaine on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellefontaine, OH to Akron, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
152.2 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellefontaine, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Trip Overview
This straightforward 152.2-mile drive from Bellefontaine, OH to Akron, OH can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 54 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71, US Route 33, and I-76, this route is heavily focused on highway travel, making it an efficient way to get from the Midwest to another part of the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $24, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The single stop suggested allows for a brief break on this efficient journey. This drive is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated path between these two Ohio cities.
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
76.1 miles from Bellefontaine, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 78.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| US Route 33 | 24.1 mi | 26m |
| I 76 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Delaware Avenue | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| State Route 37 East | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| West William Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Innerbelt | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellefontaine, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on East Columbus Avenue
19 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Columbus Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
524 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 68; SR 47; SR 540
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Sandusky Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 33 East
5
Merge onto US 33
24 mi
·
26 min
·
US Route 33
6
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 36
Exit 93
Toward US 36 East: Delaware
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto US 36
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Delaware Avenue
8
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West William Street
9
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Road
10
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 37 East
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
12
Merge onto I 71
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Innerbelt
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on SR 59
406 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
20
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Center Street
21
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Bowery Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 54-minute drive, departing in the morning is a good strategy to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Akron. Since the total distance is only 152.2 miles and your longest stretch is 78.1 miles, you can easily complete this in one go with just one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and it's always wise to top up before hitting longer highway segments like the one on I-71. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.1 miles from Bellefontaine, OH, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Akron, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellefontaine, 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 Bellefontaine, OH
This is one driving day of about 152.2 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Bellefontaine, 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 78.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.1 miles from Bellefontaine, 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 78.1 miles.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 26 and 149.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward US 36 East: Delaware
8
128.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
128.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
7
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
8
149.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
SR 59 / Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.62 one way
$47.24 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $26.22 | $52.43 |
| premium | $4.91 | $29.42 | $58.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.60 | $67.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.32 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Akron, OH
Afternoon in Akron on Sunday
Local time
1:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
76 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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 152.2-mile trip, with 84% of the journey taking place on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 78.1 miles on I-71, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate driving, the route incorporates US Route 33, which may offer a slight change in scenery and pace before rejoining the faster highways. The overall character is one of efficient movement, designed for covering ground rather than leisurely exploration.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.1 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US Route 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 miles in near US 36.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 152.2 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 26 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Bellefontaine, OH
Full guide →Bellefontaine, Ohio is a city in the Miami - Scioto basins, and the seat of Logan county.
Arriving in Akron, OH
Full guide →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.
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 2h 54m. Total distance: 152.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.1 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Akron, 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 26 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Akron, OH before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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