Cuyahoga Falls to Middletown is 223.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 20 minutes via I 71, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, entirely within Ohio, making it a straightforward drive. With 97% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the 223.5 miles. This is a great option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive planning.
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
111.7 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
SR 4
27 mi
33m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Akron Expressway
4.8 mi
6m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
North Verity Parkway
4.3 mi
6m
I 77
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Middletown, 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
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto SR 4
0.3 mi·42 sec·SR 4
Exit 41Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4
27 mi·32 min·SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 38Toward SR 73: Franklin, SpringboroUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto SR 73
1.7 mi·3 min·East 2nd Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 73 Truck
1.1 mi·1 min·Riley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on SR 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Middletown Pike
21
Continue on SR 73
4.3 mi·6 min·North Verity Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on SR 4; SR 73
0.3 mi·38 sec·North Canal Street
23
Turn left onto Central Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Central Avenue
24
Turn left onto Clark Street
122 ft·5 sec·Clark Street
25
Arrive at destination
Clark Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 20 minute duration, leaving Cuyahoga Falls in the morning allows ample time to reach Middletown before evening. You won't need to split this 223.5-mile drive, but planning for one stop around the halfway point for fuel or a quick break is wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 100 miles on I 71. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so budget accordingly.
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 111.7 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.7 miles or 2h 8m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, 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 223.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 98.8 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 5.2 and 187.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
8
187.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
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 41
Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
8
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.34 one way
$68.69 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$38.73
$77.47
premium
$4.99
$43.88
$87.76
diesel
$4.80
$42.20
$84.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.47
$10.73
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.56
$8.94
EV Truck/SUV
89.4
1
$31.29
$14.30
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Morning
in Cuyahoga Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 16 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:58PM EDT until July 18 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:55PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Middletown, OH
Morning
in Middletown on Sunday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 13 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 3:58PM EDT until July 18 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:55PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
2 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 20m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 192.7
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 184.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the 223.5 miles on major roads like I 71. You'll experience a long stretch of 98.8 miles on I 71, which means consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, specifically SR 4, will likely happen closer to your destination in Middletown. Be prepared for a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you approach and navigate through more populated areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 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 20 significant decision points across 223.5 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 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; at 128.1 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
1,284 ft649 ft
Total Climb
779 ft
Total Descent
1,159 ft
Highest Point
1,284 ft
~79.8 mi in
Elevation Range
636 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Middletown, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and New Carlisle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 223.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Middletown, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Middletown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
