Cuyahoga Falls to Norwood is 232.2 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region entirely. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should feel familiar to anyone accustomed to American interstates. Given its relatively short duration, it's an ideal one-day excursion, whether you're heading south for a specific destination or simply exploring more of Ohio. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, making it a predictable and efficient option.
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
116.1 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
200.8 mi
3h 41m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Akron Expressway
4.8 mi
6m
I 77
3 mi
4m
Montgomery Road
0.7 mi
2m
Norwood Lateral Expressway
0.6 mi
<1m
Norwood Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 200.8 mi, about 3h 41m
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 Norwood, 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
99 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 7Toward SR 562: NorwoodUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on SR 562
0.6 mi·50 sec·Norwood Lateral Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 3Toward US 22, SR 3, SR 561: Montgomery Road, NorwoodUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Norwood Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Norwood Avenue
15
Turn left onto US 22; SR 3; SR 561
0.7 mi·2 min·Montgomery Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
1 ft·US 22; SR 3
Trip Plan
For this 4h 25m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight stops. The 200.8-mile stretch on I 71 is a significant portion, so plan for at least one brief stop for fuel or a stretch break before you get too far into that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 budget is an estimate and prices can vary. The numerous exits mean you'll have options for amenities, but it's always wise to know where your next planned stop might be.
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 116.1 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.8 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 51 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norwood, 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 232.2 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 200.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 231 — 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...
7
8.3 mi into trip|~12m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
8
231 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 22, SR 3, SR 561: Montgomery Road, Norwood
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 3
Toward US 22, SR 3, SR 561: Montgomery Road, No...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.68 one way
$71.36 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.24
$80.48
premium
$4.99
$45.59
$91.18
diesel
$4.80
$43.84
$87.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.7
0
$24.38
$11.15
Efficient EV
58.1
0
$20.32
$9.29
EV Truck/SUV
92.9
1
$32.51
$14.86
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 14 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:35PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
Norwood, OH
Morning
in Norwood on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:35PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
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
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 25m 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 184.2
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 192.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 99% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 232.2 miles. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 200.8 miles, primarily on I 71. You'll experience a dense pattern of exits and interchanges for much of the drive, typical of major interstate travel. Expect to transition to surface roads only for the very last segment as you approach Norwood.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 232.2 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 25m. Total distance: 232.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200.8 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 Norwood, 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Norwood, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
