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Trip from Dresden, OH to Akron, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

96.6 mi

155 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dresden, OH, OH

Dresden, OH

Niklas Jeromin

Trip Overview

This straightforward 96.6-mile drive from Dresden to Akron, OH, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical choice for a quick journey within the Midwest region. The route primarily utilizes I-77, offering a direct path for most of the drive. This highway-focused profile means you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads, making it a convenient option when time is a factor. Given its short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal for a spontaneous outing or a functional commute.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.3 miles from Dresden, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 77 60.8 mi 1h 8m
US 36 18.1 mi 23m
Raiders Road 13.3 mi 18m
Main Street 1 mi 2m
Dresden Road 0.8 mi 1m
North Dresden Road 0.6 mi 1m
East Mill Street 0.5 mi 1m
Fountain Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 77 — 60.8 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dresden, OH and Akron, OH.

1

Start on East 8th Street

89 ft · 5 sec · East 8th Street
2

Turn right onto Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Continue on North Dresden Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Dresden Road
4

Continue on Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
5

Continue on Dresden Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Dresden Road
6

Turn right onto SR 16

13 mi · 18 min · Raiders Road
7

Continue on US 36; SR 83

18 mi · 23 min · US 36; SR 83
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
9

Merge onto I 77

61 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 1A Toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn straight onto Fountain Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Fountain Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12

Continue on Fountain Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Fountain Street
13

Turn left onto SR 18

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Market Street
14

Turn left onto South Forge Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · South Forge Street
15

Continue on East Mill Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Mill Street
16

Enter roundabout onto South Main Street

162 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
17

Continue on South Main Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · South Main Street
18

Turn right onto West Bowery Street

72 ft · 1 sec · West Bowery Street
19

Arrive at destination

West Bowery Street

Trip Plan

This 2-hour, 96.6-mile drive is perfectly suited for a single day, so you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving Dresden in the morning to arrive in Akron with ample daylight. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to check your gauge before heading out. Keep an eye on signage for I-77, as it's the dominant road for this route and will guide you most of the way to Akron. Since there are no specific recommended stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.3 miles from Dresden, OH, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.8 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 21 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.3 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 38m

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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, OH

This is one driving day of about 96.6 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Dresden, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 77 for about 60.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dover, OH

48 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.

Popular next leg

Dover, OH to Akron, OH

45.7 mi · 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Powell, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dover, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.3 miles from Dresden, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.8 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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
34.2 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in

Take the exit toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue

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 Toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue
4
95.2 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in | Fountain Street

Turn straight onto Fountain Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
96.4 mi into trip | ~2h in | South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto South Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.99 one way

$29.98 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $16.64 $33.28
premium $4.91 $18.67 $37.34
diesel $5.61 $21.33 $42.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29 0 $10.14 $4.64
Efficient EV 24.2 0 $8.45 $3.86
EV Truck/SUV 38.6 0 $13.52 $6.18

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Dresden, OH

Afternoon in Dresden on Sunday

Local time

3:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Akron, OH

Afternoon in Akron on Sunday

Local time

3:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 to 17 mph 94% chance Live forecast

49°F

Dover, OH

48 mi in

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

27 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

2h on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 96.6
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 96.6-mile trip, with 82% of the journey on interstates and major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 60.8 miles on I-77, allowing for a steady pace. While the primary roads are I-77, US 36, and Raiders Road, the character leans heavily towards efficient travel rather than leisurely cruising. You'll likely experience a consistent driving rhythm, punctuated by transitions between these main arteries, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.8 mi on I 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and US 36. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.2 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

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 2h. Total distance: 96.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.8 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.2 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Akron, OH before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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