Deer Park, OH to Cuyahoga Falls, OH is 229.7 miles and takes about 4h 28m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Ohio for its entirety. Given its profile as mostly highway driving, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll find most of your time spent on major interstates, making it a practical choice if you need to get between these two points efficiently.
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
114.9 miles from Deer Park, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
20.3 mi
24m
Northeast Expressway
19.6 mi
22m
Akron Expressway
4.7 mi
6m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
South Innerbelt
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
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 Deer Park, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
1
Start on Matson Avenue
378 ft·20 sec·Matson Avenue
2
Turn left onto Blue Ash Road
0.2 mi·46 sec·Blue Ash Road
3
Turn right onto East Galbraith Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East Galbraith Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right
212 ft·8 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Turn slight right onto US 22; SR 3
0.4 mi·51 sec·Montgomery Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 71
20 mi·22 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
10
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 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 left at fork onto I 76; I 77
1.8 mi·2 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
26
Merge onto SR 8
4.7 mi·6 min·Akron Expressway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 5AToward Broad BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi·31 sec·Broad Boulevard
29
Turn left onto 2nd Street
56 ft·2 sec·2nd Street
30
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated drive time, leaving Deer Park in the morning should allow you to reach Cuyahoga Falls with plenty of daylight remaining. While the route is only about 230 miles and can easily be done in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially before you transition from I 71 to I 76. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so ensure your tank is full before departing to minimize the need for stops along the way. Pay attention to the dense exit patterns as you approach the Cleveland metropolitan area for Cuyahoga Falls.
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 114.9 miles from Deer Park, OH, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.9 miles or 2h 17m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cuyahoga Falls, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deer Park, 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 Deer Park, OH
This is one driving day of about 229.7 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Deer Park, 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 170.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 200.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 71 North: Columbus
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
8
21.8 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
99.3 mi into trip|~2h 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
200.7 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
200.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.30 one way
$70.59 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.81
$79.62
premium
$4.99
$45.10
$90.20
diesel
$4.80
$43.37
$86.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
EV Truck/SUV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Deer Park, OH
Afternoon
in Deer Park on Sunday
Local time
3:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:39PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Afternoon
in Cuyahoga Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:52 PM
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 1:39PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:35PM 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 28m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 229.7
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
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 47.5
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
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 39.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-based, with 96% of the 229.7 miles on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 170.6 miles on I 71. Expect a predominantly high-speed cruising experience with frequent exits and merges as you navigate between major roadways like I 71, I 76, and the Northeast Expressway. This means minimal time on local roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.9 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 27 significant decision points across 229.7 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,238 ft672 ft
Total Climb
1,021 ft
Total Descent
864 ft
Highest Point
1,238 ft
~147.7 mi in
Elevation Range
566 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Deer Park, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon, Wheeling and Akron.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 229.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.6 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 Cuyahoga Falls, 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Cuyahoga Falls, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
