This 234.8-mile drive from Dry Ridge, Ohio, to Akron, Ohio, will take you approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you can easily complete this journey without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $36, making it an economical option for a Midwest road trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with a 96% highway share, so expect a straightforward and efficient travel experience. This route offers a direct connection between two points within Ohio, focusing on getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
117.4 miles from Dry Ridge, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Circle Freeway
14.7 mi
16m
Northeast Expressway
14.2 mi
16m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dry Ridge, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Pebblecreek Lane
72 ft·4 sec·Pebblecreek Lane
2
Turn right onto Dry Ridge Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Dry Ridge Road
3
Continue on Dry Ridge Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Dry Ridge Road
4
Turn right onto US 27; SR 126
0.2 mi·33 sec·Colerain Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 275 East: DaytonUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 275
15 mi·16 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 49Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
14 mi·16 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
12
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
16
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
25
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.
26
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.
27
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
28
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
29
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
30
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 33-minute duration, leaving in the morning from Dry Ridge allows ample time to reach Akron by afternoon, making it a perfect day trip. With only one recommended stop and a 96% highway profile, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 170.6-mile stretch on I-71. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate to keep in mind as you plan your budget. Consider starting your journey earlier in the day to avoid potential traffic as you approach Akron on the Circle Freeway.
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 117.4 miles from Dry Ridge, OH, or about 2h 21m 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 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 21m 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 42m
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 Dry Ridge, 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 Dry Ridge, OH
This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Dry Ridge, 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 211 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.3 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
31.9 mi into trip|~39m 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
109.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
210.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
211 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
$36.44 one way
$72.88 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$40.44
$80.89
premium
$4.91
$45.38
$90.76
diesel
$5.61
$51.84
$103.68
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: 82.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.65
$11.27
Efficient EV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
EV Truck/SUV
93.9
1
$32.87
$15.03
Gas CO2
82 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Dry Ridge, OH
Late night
in Dry Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
SW 12 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:48PM EDT until April 14 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 5:16PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM 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
29 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 33m 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 56.7
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 234.8
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 48.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with 96% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll be covering 170.6 miles on I-71 before transitioning to I-76 and the Circle Freeway. This means consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for most of the trip. While primarily interstate, this route emphasizes forward momentum rather than scenic detours, offering a direct path from point A to point B.
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 16.3 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 26 significant decision points across 234.8 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dry Ridge, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Columbus, Lebanon and Wheeling.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 234.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m 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 28 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 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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
