Origin
Cleveland, OH
Morning in Cleveland on Tuesday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cleveland, OH to Rockford, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
86.6 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Rockford, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 86.6-mile drive from Cleveland to Rockford, Ohio, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 54 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing State Route 21 and US 62, you'll experience a highway-focused journey with 95% of the route on paved roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this trip is budget-friendly and efficient. Since it's a relatively short distance within the Midwest, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This route is designed for getting you from point A to point B without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 21 | 28.7 mi | 35m |
| Willow Freeway | 26 mi | 31m |
| US 62 | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| US 250 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| State Route 39 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| West High Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Ontario Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Orange Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 21
— 28.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Rockford, OH.
1
Start on Frankfort Avenue
156 ft
·
12 sec
·
Frankfort Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
339 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Superior Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 6; US 20
503 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Roadway
5
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orange Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp onto SR 10
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
SR 10
Toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 77; SR 10
26 mi
·
31 min
·
Willow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21
29 mi
·
35 min
·
State Route 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Turn straight onto US 62; SR 21
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
US 62; SR 21
11
Continue on US 250
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 250
12
Take the exit onto US 250
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 250
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 250
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 250
14
Take the exit onto US 250 Business
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 250 Business
Toward SR 39 East: New Philadelphia
15
Turn left onto US 250 Business; SR 39
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West High Avenue
16
Turn left onto SR 39
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Beaver Avenue Northeast
17
Continue on SR 39
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 39
18
Arrive at destination
SR 39
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 54-minute duration and 86.6-mile length, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave Cleveland at your leisure, perhaps after morning rush hour, and still arrive in Rockford with plenty of daylight. The estimated fuel cost of $13 means you likely won't need frequent stops solely for gas. Plan for one quick break midway if needed, but the drive is short enough that extensive planning isn't required. Keep an eye out for transitions between State Route 21 and US 62 as they form the backbone of this efficient Midwest connection.
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 43.3 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 55m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockford, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cleveland, OH
This is one driving day of about 86.6 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Cleveland, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 21 for about 28.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Cleveland, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 69.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 3rd Street
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
SR 10
Take the ramp onto SR 10 toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
SR 21 / State Route 21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21 / State Route 21
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
US 250
Take the exit onto US 250
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.44 one way
$26.88 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $14.92 | $29.83 |
| premium | $4.91 | $16.74 | $33.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.09 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.12 | $5.54 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Rockford, OH
Morning in Rockford on Tuesday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live 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
4 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
1h 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-centric experience for most of this 86.6-mile journey, with 95% of the drive on paved roads. You'll encounter stretches like the 28.7-mile segment on State Route 21, which offers a consistent pace. The Willow Freeway also contributes to the rapid transit feel. While predominantly highway driving, the route is structured to move you efficiently through the Ohio landscape. It's less about winding scenic byways and more about a direct connection between Cleveland and Rockford.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on State Route 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 3rd Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Cleveland, OH
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 86.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m 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 28.7 miles on State Route 21. 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 Rockford, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (SR 10): 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 Rockford, 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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