Covedale, OH to Akron, OH is 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 71, I 76, and Northeast Expressway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Plan for a direct route with minimal deviations, making it efficient for those looking to reach their destination quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.7 miles from Covedale, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Northeast Expressway
18.2 mi
21m
Mill Creek Expressway
5.3 mi
7m
Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway
5.3 mi
7m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Montana Avenue
2.2 mi
4m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 79 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,087 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,731
Quietest
2 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
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 Covedale, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Western Hills Avenue
131 ft·8 sec·Western Hills Avenue
2
Turn right onto Covedale Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Covedale Avenue
3
Turn right onto Sidney Road
0.2 mi·39 sec·Sidney Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 264
0.3 mi·54 sec·Glenway Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right
204 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Boudinot Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·Boudinot Avenue
7
Turn right onto Montana Avenue
2.2 mi·4 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 74 East, US 52 East
9
Merge onto I 74; US 52
1.5 mi·1 min·Northwest Expressway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: DaytonUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
5.3 mi·7 min·Mill Creek Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 10AToward SR 126: Ronald Reagan HighwayUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·39 sec
Toward SR 126 East: Ronald Reagan Highway
14
Merge onto SR 126
5.3 mi·7 min·Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 32B&CToward I 71: Columbus, CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 32CToward I 71 North: Columbus
17
Merge onto I 71
18 mi·21 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
20
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
24
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
33
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.
34
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.
35
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
36
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
37
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
38
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 45 minute estimated drive time, departing Covedale in the morning will allow you to reach Akron with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a brief break around the halfway point or simply push through if you prefer. The fuel cost estimate of $36 suggests keeping an eye on your gas gauge, especially during the 170.6-mile stretch on I 71, where services might be less frequent. Consider filling up before you leave Covedale or at your single planned stop to ensure you don't have to search for a station mid-route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 119.7 miles from Covedale, OH, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 53 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Covedale, 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 Covedale, OH
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Covedale, 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 170.6 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 215.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 264 / Glenway Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto SR 264 / Glenway Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
17.6 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Columbus, Cincinnati
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 32B&C
Toward I 71: Columbus, Cincinnati
8
36.5 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
114 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
9
215.6 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.77 one way
$73.54 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$41.47
$82.94
premium
$4.99
$46.98
$93.97
diesel
$4.80
$45.18
$90.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.50
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Covedale, OH
Morning
in Covedale on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 to 12 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 to 14 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 57.8
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 239.3
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 49.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 170.6 miles on I 71, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. Once you transition off the main interstates like I 71 and I 76 onto the Northeast Expressway, expect a slight change in the road environment, though it remains a high-speed corridor. The high highway share means frequent exits and merges as you navigate between these primary routes.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 264 / Glenway Avenue.
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 34 significant decision points across 239.3 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 0.4 miles (SR 264 / Glenway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,316 ft771 ft
Total Climb
827 ft
Total Descent
755 ft
Highest Point
1,316 ft
~188 mi in
Elevation Range
545 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Covedale, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lebanon and Wheeling.
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.
Top landmarks
•Goodyear Airdock — located in Akron, Ohio
•Akron Public Library — Carnegie library in Akron, Ohio
•CitiCenter Building — historic building in Akron, Ohio, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.6 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 0.4 miles (SR 264 / Glenway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
