Spanning 243.9 miles across Ohio, this Midwest journey takes you from Cuyahoga Falls to Dent in approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and entirely within the state, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $36 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a cost-effective way to traverse the region. Since 98% of your travel occurs on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at consistent speeds. This drive is best suited for travelers looking for a direct, efficient path between two points in the Midwest.
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
121.9 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
191 mi
3h 29m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Circle Freeway
19.8 mi
22m
Akron Expressway
4.8 mi
6m
I 77
3 mi
4m
Northwest Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
Harrison Avenue
1 mi
1m
Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 191 mi, about 3h 29m
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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Dent, OH.
1
Start on 2nd Street
27 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi·22 sec·Broad Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 8 South, SR 59 West
4
Merge onto SR 8; SR 59
4.8 mi·6 min·Akron Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 1A-BToward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
3.0 mi·4 min·I 77
Exit 1BToward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
89 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 17BToward I 275 WestUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 275
20 mi·22 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 28Toward I 74 East, US 52 East: CincinnatiUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 74; US 52
1.2 mi·1 min·Northwest Expressway
Toward I 75 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 11Toward Rybolt Road, Harrison AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Old Rybolt Road
399 ft·9 sec·Old Rybolt Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
Harrison Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 37-minute trip on schedule, plan for one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is dominated by I-71, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near major interchanges, which can add unnecessary stress to the long 191-mile stretch. Keep your gas tank in mind before hitting the highway, as the $36 fuel cost is a baseline estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given that this is a relatively short day trip, you have the flexibility to leave early in the morning or midday, depending on your preference for traffic density. A pro tip for this specific drive is to monitor live traffic alerts for the Circle Freeway, as road conditions there can impact your arrival time in Dent.
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 121.9 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dent, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cuyahoga Falls, 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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
This is one driving day of about 243.9 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, 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 191 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 242.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward SR 8 South, SR 59 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 8 South, SR 59 West
8
5.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, Cleveland
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 1A-B
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngs...
9
5.3 mi into trip|~7m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Clevel...
8
241 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 74 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 28
Toward I 74 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
8
242.6 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward Rybolt Road, Harrison Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11
Toward Rybolt Road, Harrison Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.48 one way
$74.96 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.27
$84.54
premium
$4.99
$47.89
$95.77
diesel
$4.80
$46.05
$92.11
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: 85.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.61
$11.71
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.34
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.15
$15.61
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Late night
in Cuyahoga Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 to 14 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Dent, OH
Late night
in Dent on Sunday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 to 12 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
85°F
Delaware, OH
122 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m 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.
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...
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 185
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
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 193.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as your route relies heavily on the Kenmore Expressway, the Circle Freeway, and a significant stretch of I-71. The drive is defined by its efficiency, with a massive 191-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-71 that allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. Because nearly the entire 243.9-mile path is dedicated to major interstates, you won't be dealing with the complexity of technical local roads or frequent turns. While the landscape remains consistent, the transition from the Cuyahoga Falls area toward the Dent region feels like a purposeful, high-speed transit. It is a predictable, no-nonsense commute that favors speed and reliability over winding, scenic detours.
98% 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: 191 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Kenmore Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 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 16 significant decision points across 243.9 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: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 243.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Dent, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dent, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
