Origin
Cleveland, OH
Late night in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
175.4 mi
282 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Northwood, OH
El Capra
Cleveland, OH to Northwood, OH is 175.4 miles and takes about 3h 20m via I 71 and US 36, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Ohio. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward drive for those prioritizing efficiency. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a direct path between these two Ohio locations.
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
87.7 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 117 mi | 2h 7m |
| US 36 | 26 mi | 28m |
| Marysville Road | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| State Route 37 East | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| East William Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| State Route 638 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Sunbury Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Northwood, OH.
Start on Frankfort Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3
Turn right onto US 6; US 20
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
Turn slight right
Take the ramp
Merge onto Innerbelt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 36; SR 37
Continue on US 36; SR 37
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
Continue on US 36
Take the exit onto US 36
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 68
Turn slight left onto SR 638
Turn right onto C-113
Turn right onto C-111
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 20m estimated drive time, departing Cleveland in the morning will comfortably get you to Northwood with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $27, this is an economical and efficient trip. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 117 miles on I 71; ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on this segment, as services might be more spaced out during this portion.
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.
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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 38m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northwood, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH
This is one driving day of about 175.4 miles and 3h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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.
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.7 miles from Cleveland, 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 117 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 118.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$27.22 one way
$54.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $30.21 | $60.42 |
| premium | $4.91 | $33.90 | $67.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.73 | $77.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.35 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Northwood on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
68°F
Mansfield, OH
88 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 117 miles on I 71, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your journey. While the profile is 'highway-focused,' the inclusion of US 36 and Marysville Road suggests a transition to more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll likely encounter varied speed limits and potentially more traffic signals in the latter stages of the drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 36. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 175.4 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cleveland, OH to Northwood, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Delaware along the way.
Delaware
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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