If you are planning to travel from Day Heights to Akron, you are looking at a 219.5-mile journey across the Ohio Midwest. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel, making this a straightforward day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. With 97% of your travel occurring on highways, you can anticipate a consistent pace throughout the drive. Budgeting around $33 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire route remains within the state of Ohio, you will find the navigation simple and predictable, ideal for those who prefer a direct, no-fuss approach to road travel.
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
109.8 miles from Day Heights, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
162.3 mi
2h 57m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
US 22
10 mi
14m
SR 132
6.7 mi
11m
State Route 28
5.4 mi
9m
SR 380
3.5 mi
6m
SR 123
3 mi
5m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Day Heights, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Kent Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·Kent Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Betty Lane
0.2 mi·39 sec·Betty Lane
3
Turn right onto SR 131
0.4 mi·44 sec·SR 131
4
Continue on SR 131
0.4 mi·39 sec·SR 131
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on SR 131
156 ft·10 sec·SR 131
6
Turn left onto Buckwheat Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Buckwheat Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto SR 28
5.4 mi·9 min·State Route 28
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto SR 132
6.7 mi·11 min·SR 132
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto SR 123
3.0 mi·5 min·SR 123
10
Turn right onto US 22; SR 3
10.0 mi·14 min·US 22; SR 3
11
Turn left onto SR 380
3.5 mi·6 min·SR 380
12
Turn left onto SR 73
0.2 mi·20 sec·State Route 73
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 71
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
26
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
27
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
28
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 24-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on the major interstates. Since the itinerary includes only one recommended stop, plan to stretch your legs at the halfway point to keep your energy levels up during the long 162.3-mile stretch on I-71. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your arrival time without needing to pack for an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest highway segments, as staying prepared will help you avoid unnecessary detours. Embracing the efficiency of this 97% highway route is the smartest way to ensure a smooth arrival in Akron.
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 109.8 miles from Day Heights, OH, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 48 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 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 36m
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 Day Heights, 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 Day Heights, OH
This is one driving day of about 219.5 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Day Heights, 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 162.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 92.5 and 217 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
92.5 mi into trip|~2h in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
8
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
195.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
8
217 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|SR 59 / Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.07 one way
$68.13 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$37.81
$75.62
premium
$4.91
$42.42
$84.84
diesel
$5.61
$48.46
$96.93
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: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.05
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.21
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.73
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Day Heights, OH
Late night
in Day Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
23 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 24m 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 37.8
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 219.5
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 37.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-71, I-76, and US-22, which provide a reliable, high-speed experience. The most significant portion of your journey is a single 162.3-mile stretch on I-71, offering a long, uninterrupted push that defines the character of the trip. Because the road is almost entirely interstate-based, you should be prepared for a steady, monotonous flow of traffic. The transition between these major arteries is seamless, ensuring you spend very little time navigating complex local surface streets.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.3 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 92.5 miles in near I 71.
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 23 significant decision points across 219.5 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 92.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 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
1,367 ft841 ft
Total Climb
752 ft
Total Descent
669 ft
Highest Point
1,367 ft
~141.1 mi in
Elevation Range
526 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Day Heights, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wheeling along the way.
Wheeling
92.5 mi in|~2h|via I 71
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 219.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m 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 162.3 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 92.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 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 4.4 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 Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
