Origin
Franklin Furnace, OH
Morning in Franklin Furnace on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
245.8 mi
396 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin Furnace, OH
Tima Miroshnichenko
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin Furnace, OH to Cleveland, OH is 245.8 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 71, US 23, and Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you through the Midwest region of Ohio, keeping you on major highways for most of the journey. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day drive. Plan for a straightforward trip with minimal detours, focusing on efficient travel between these two Ohio cities.
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
122.9 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 140.7 mi | 2h 35m |
| US 23 | 68 mi | 1h 29m |
| Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway | 16.4 mi | 17m |
| US 52 | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| South High Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South Innerbelt | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Jack Nicklaus Freeway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin Furnace, OH and Cleveland, OH.
Start on C-268
Turn sharp right onto C-1
Continue on CR 1
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 52
Take the exit onto SR 823
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
Continue on US 23
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit onto I 71
Merge onto I 70; I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20
Continue on US 6; US 20
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20
Turn right onto Frankfort Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this 1-day drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total driving time of under 5 hours, you won't need to split the trip, giving you flexibility. The longest stretch without a break is over 140 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longest segment on I 71, and use the available rest areas to stretch your legs before you reach Cleveland.
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Franklin Furnace, 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 Franklin Furnace, OH
This is one driving day of about 245.8 miles and 4h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.9 miles from Franklin Furnace, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.6 and 244.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 422, SR 14: Orange Avenue, Ontario Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 422 West, SR 14 West: Ontario Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$38.15 one way
$76.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $42.34 | $84.68 |
| premium | $4.91 | $47.51 | $95.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.27 | $108.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.81 | $11.80 |
| Efficient EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.51 | $9.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.3 | 1 | $34.41 | $15.73 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Franklin Furnace on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on major roads like I 71 and US 23. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 140.7 miles on I 71. The profile suggests a driving experience dominated by interstate travel, meaning fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops and more focus on covering ground efficiently. Expect a consistent road character for the majority of the 4h 53m duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.6 miles in near US 23.
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 245.8 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 57.6 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin Furnace, OH and Cleveland, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Columbus.
Wheeling
Columbus
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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