Fairborn, OH to Akron, OH is 184 miles and takes about 3h 27m via I-71, I-70, and I-76, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that makes for a simple day drive. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect consistent speeds and well-maintained roads. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
92 miles from Fairborn, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
North Broad Street
1.5 mi
2m
North Maple Avenue
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 Fairborn, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Tacoma Lane
73 ft·7 sec·Tacoma Lane
2
Turn right onto South Pleasant Street
185 ft·10 sec·South Pleasant Street
3
Turn right onto East Main Street
422 ft·16 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto North Maple Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Maple Avenue
5
Turn right onto SR 444
1.5 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
6
Continue on C-148
521 ft·10 sec·Springfield Road
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
8
Merge onto I 675
0.7 mi·46 sec·I 675
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 26AToward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
10
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi·1 min·I 70; SR 4
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
21
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.
22
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.
23
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
24
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
25
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
26
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 3h 27m duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving Fairborn in the morning to arrive in Akron with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop and 96% of the drive on highways, planning fuel and rest stops is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.5-mile stretch on I-71, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The $29 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 92 miles from Fairborn, OH, or about 1h 43m 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
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 Fairborn, 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 Fairborn, OH
This is one driving day of about 184 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Fairborn, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.3 and 181.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
160 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
160.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
181.5 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
$28.56 one way
$57.11 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$31.69
$63.39
premium
$4.91
$35.56
$71.12
diesel
$5.61
$40.62
$81.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.2
0
$19.32
$8.83
Efficient EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
EV Truck/SUV
73.6
0
$25.76
$11.78
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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 17, 2026
Origin
Fairborn, OH
Late night
in Fairborn on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
92 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
7 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
3h 27m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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 184
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of it utilizing major interstates like I-71, I-70, and I-76. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 99.5-mile segment on I-71 where you can really settle in. The character of the drive is one of efficiency, with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares. Expect a smooth, predictable journey that emphasizes covering ground quickly and directly.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
10/10
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 55.3 miles in near I 670.
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 22 significant decision points across 184 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 55.3 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160 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.
On the drive from Fairborn, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
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 3h 27m. Total distance: 184 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m 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 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 55.3 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
