Origin
Dayton, OH
Morning in Dayton on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dayton, OH to Akron, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
195.2 mi
314 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dayton, OH to Akron, OH is 195.2 miles and takes about 3h 40m via I-71, I-70, and I-76, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest. With 97% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on interstates, making for a quick and efficient transit. This route is ideal for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.6 miles from Dayton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 99.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 70 | 49.2 mi | 53m |
| I 76 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| SR 4 | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 670 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Innerbelt | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
2
Take the ramp
141 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I 75 North, SR 4 North: Toledo, Springfield
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward SR 4 North: Springfield
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto SR 4
10 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto SR 4
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 4
Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
100 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Innerbelt
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on SR 59
406 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
19
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Center Street
20
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Bowery Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes, you can easily complete this drive in one day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for any unexpected delays and to maximize your time upon arrival in Akron. With the fuel cost estimated at $30, it's wise to fill up before you leave Dayton or at a convenient stop along I-71. The longest stretch without a major exit area is nearly 100 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before setting out. This route is flexible enough to depart at your convenience, but an early start is generally recommended.
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 97.6 miles from Dayton, OH, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.6 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, OH
This is one driving day of about 195.2 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Dayton, 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 99.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.6 miles from Dayton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 192.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 4 North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward SR 4 North: Springfield
8
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
8
171.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
171.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
192.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
$30.29 one way
$60.59 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $33.62 | $67.24 |
| premium | $4.91 | $37.73 | $75.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.10 | $86.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
| Efficient EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.08 | $7.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.33 | $12.49 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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
3h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on the highway for nearly the entire 195.2-mile trip, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 99.5 miles on I-71. This high percentage of highway driving means you'll experience mostly consistent speeds and fewer surface street transitions. You'll notice a high number of exits and potentially some urban merging as you pass through various towns and cities in Ohio.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 195.2 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Dayton, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
Cleveland
70.8 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via North Innerbelt
About the Cities
Starting in Dayton, OH
Full guide →Founded 1796
Top landmarks
- • National Museum of the United States Air Force — aerospace museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, United States
- • Wright Flyer III — third powered aircraft built by the Wright brothers
- • Dayton Art Institute — art museum and school in Dayton, Ohio
Arriving in Akron, OH
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 195.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m 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 99.5 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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