Spanning 125.3 miles across the Ohio heartland, this trip between Dublin and New Franklin is a straightforward Midwest journey. You can expect a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting about $19 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably. Because the route is compact and efficient, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have additional business in the area. With 91% of the drive spent on major highways, this is a practical commute rather than a leisurely backroads tour, perfect for travelers who prioritize time and consistency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.7 miles from Dublin, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
89.7 mi
1h 36m
I 76
17.2 mi
20m
South Main Street
6.1 mi
11m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
I 277
2.2 mi
2m
West Dublin Granville Road
0.8 mi
1m
West Nimisila Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Sawmill Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dublin, OH and New Franklin, OH.
1
Start on this road
103 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Mill Lane
128 ft·9 sec·Mill Lane
3
Turn right onto US 33; SR 161
0.3 mi·44 sec·West Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto SR 161
172 ft·6 sec·West Dublin Granville Road
5
Continue on SR 161
0.8 mi·1 min·West Dublin Granville Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto Dublin Center Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Dublin Center Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto Bridge Park Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bridge Park Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto CR 70
0.4 mi·43 sec·Sawmill Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
10
Merge onto I 270
4.9 mi·5 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 26Toward I 71: Columbus, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 71
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 277; US 224
2.2 mi·2 min·I 277; US 224
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 3Toward South Main StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CH 50
6.1 mi·11 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto West Nimisila Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·West Nimisila Road
21
Arrive at destination
West Nimisila Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on I-71 is always a smart move. Because there are zero required stops listed for this 125.3-mile distance, you can easily complete the drive in one sitting without the need for extensive planning. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $19, so topping off your tank in Dublin before you head out is a simple way to minimize mid-trip errands. Focus on your transition from the interstate system onto South Main Street, as this shift marks the final leg of your journey. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks based on your personal energy levels rather than necessity.
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 62.7 miles from Dublin, OH, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Franklin, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dublin, 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 Dublin, OH
This is one driving day of about 125.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Dublin, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 89.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street
Turn right onto US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|Bridge Park Avenue
Turn right onto Bridge Park Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
7.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Columbus, Cleveland
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 26
Toward I 71: Columbus, Cleveland
8
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
$19.45 one way
$38.89 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$21.58
$43.16
premium
$4.91
$24.22
$48.43
diesel
$5.61
$27.66
$55.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.01
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
EV Truck/SUV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Dublin, OH
Morning
in Dublin on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Franklin, OH
Morning
in New Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
63 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
13 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
2h 27m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 116.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic interstate experience, as the majority of your trip is dominated by high-speed travel on I-71 and I-76. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the road—specifically 89.7 miles—navigating the longest uninterrupted stretch on I-71. The character of the drive is distinctly highway-focused, offering a predictable rhythm before you transition onto South Main Street for the final approach into New Franklin. While you won't encounter technical mountain passes or winding scenic byways, the high highway percentage ensures a steady pace. It is a functional, no-nonsense path that relies on major thoroughfares to get you to your destination efficiently.
91% 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: 89.7 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 early in the drive near US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 125.3 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: near the start (US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Bridge Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 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.
Between Dublin, OH and New Franklin, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
7.1 mi in|~10m
Akron
97.9 mi in|~1h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 125.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 New Franklin, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Bridge Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 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 New Franklin, OH before heading back.
