This 116.9-mile drive from Carey, Ohio, to Akron, Ohio, will take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest region of Ohio. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this route offers an economical option for getting from point A to point B. You'll primarily navigate via South Vance Street and I-71 North before transitioning to I-76. Expect a relatively quick travel time, making it ideal for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Carey, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
46.4 mi
51m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
US 23
13.7 mi
16m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
South Vance Street
1.4 mi
2m
West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 46.4 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carey, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on SR 103; SR 199
70 ft·8 sec·East Findlay Street
2
Turn left onto US 23; SR 103
1.4 mi·2 min·South Vance Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 23
14 mi·16 min·US 23
4
Take the exit onto US 30
46 mi·51 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
6
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
14
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
15
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
16
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 55-minute duration, you can easily complete this 116.9-mile trip in a single day. Departing in the morning will allow you to arrive in Akron with plenty of time to spare. Since this is a local drive with 0% highway share, be mindful of speed limits and potential traffic signals in smaller towns along the way. The estimated fuel cost of $17 is quite reasonable, so you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Keep an eye out for road signs directing you onto I-71 North and subsequently I-76 as you approach Akron.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Carey, OH, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
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 Carey, 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 Carey, OH
This is one driving day of about 118.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Carey, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 46.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.3 and 115.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
94.3 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
94.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
6
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
114.5 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
$18.34 one way
$36.69 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$20.36
$40.72
premium
$4.91
$22.84
$45.69
diesel
$5.61
$26.10
$52.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.41
$5.67
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.34
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.55
$7.56
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Carey, OH
Afternoon
in Carey on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Afternoon
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
59 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
8 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
2h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll encounter more intersections and changes in direction than on a typical interstate journey. With 0% highway share, expect to be on local roads for the majority of the 116.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you should be prepared for frequent adjustments. This type of driving requires consistent attention as you navigate through various towns and communities within Ohio.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.4 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.3 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 118.2 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 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 17m. Total distance: 118.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.4 miles on US 30. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Akron, OH before heading back.
