Cleveland to Rush Creek is 151.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 55 minutes via I 71, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The majority of this route is on the interstate, making it a straightforward drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip within the state.
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
75.6 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
140.8 mi
2h 34m
Harrisburg Pike
2.7 mi
5m
Big Run South Road
2.1 mi
3m
South Innerbelt
1 mi
1m
Demorest Road
0.7 mi
1m
Alkire Road
0.6 mi
1m
Innerbelt
0.6 mi
<1m
West Freeway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 140.8 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 176 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,298 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,798
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Cleveland, OH and Rush Creek, 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
0.5 mi·1 min·Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn slight right
359 ft·14 sec
Toward I 90 West, SR 10 West
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
8
Merge onto Innerbelt
0.6 mi·45 sec·Innerbelt
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
1.2 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 170BToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
7.3 mi·8 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
132 mi·2 hr 24 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
1.0 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on I 70
0.5 mi·43 sec·West Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 98BToward Mound StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto West Mound Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·West Mound Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 62; SR 3
2.7 mi·5 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Alkire Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Alkire Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Big Run South Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Big Run South Road
19
Turn left onto Demorest Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Demorest Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Basswood Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·Basswood Avenue
21
Turn left onto Magnolia Street
310 ft·12 sec·Magnolia Street
22
Turn right onto Marsol Avenue
389 ft·13 sec·Marsol Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Marsol Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under 3 hours, this is an easy same-day trip. You could depart anytime in the morning or early afternoon and still have plenty of time to reach Rush Creek. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and if you need to pull over. The $22 fuel cost is manageable for this distance. Keep an eye out for the shift from I 71 to the local roads as you approach Rush Creek, as this is where the driving environment changes most significantly.
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 75.6 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.8 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 25m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rush Creek, 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.
+
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 151.1 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Cleveland, 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 140.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 144.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
8
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
6
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.4 mi into trip|~14m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward Mound Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 98B
Toward Mound Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.22 one way
$46.44 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$26.19
$52.37
premium
$4.99
$29.67
$59.33
diesel
$4.80
$28.53
$57.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.3
0
$15.87
$7.25
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.22
$6.04
EV Truck/SUV
60.4
0
$21.15
$9.67
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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, OH
Late night
in Cleveland on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Smoke
N 8 to 13 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Rush Creek, OH
Late night
in Rush Creek on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Smoke
NW 9 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
59°F
Butler, 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
1 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 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 26.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 94% of this 151.1-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 140.8 miles on I 71. Expect a high percentage of highway driving. The transition to surface roads, including Harrisburg Pike and Big Run South Road, will occur closer to your destination. You'll notice frequent exits along the main interstate segment.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Harrisburg Pike. 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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 151.1 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,308 ft654 ft
Total Climb
802 ft
Total Descent
580 ft
Highest Point
1,308 ft
~97.2 mi in
Elevation Range
654 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — music museum in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
•Cleveland Museum of Art — art museum in Cleveland, Ohio
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 151.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Rush Creek, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rush Creek, OH before heading back.
