Grand Rapids, OH to Akron, OH is 153 miles and takes about 2 hours 55 minutes via Ohio Turnpike and US 24, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. The profile is highway-focused, meaning you'll be on higher-speed roads for most of the trip. It's a straightforward, efficient journey, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss. Plan for a single day of travel; it's a manageable distance for a day trip.
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
76.5 miles from Grand Rapids, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ohio Turnpike
115.2 mi
2h 3m
Akron Expressway
12 mi
14m
US 24
10.2 mi
11m
I 475
3.4 mi
3m
US 23
2.8 mi
3m
South River Road
1.7 mi
2m
South Berkey-Southern Road
1.4 mi
2m
Grand Rapids Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ohio Turnpike
— 115.2 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on SR 65
67 ft·4 sec·West 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto SR 65
408 ft·9 sec·Wapakoneta Road
3
Turn right onto SR 65
0.2 mi·21 sec·Front Street
4
Turn left onto SR 295
0.5 mi·45 sec·Grand Rapids Road
5
Turn right onto CR 1576
0.4 mi·41 sec·Ludwig Road
6
Turn right onto CR 111
196 ft·4 sec·Jeffers Road
7
Turn left onto SR 295
1.7 mi·2 min·South River Road
8
Turn left onto SR 295
1.4 mi·2 min·South Berkey-Southern Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 24 East: Toledo
10
Merge onto US 24
10 mi·11 min·US 24
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 68AToward I 475 South, US 23 South: Dayton
12
Merge onto I 475; US 23
3.4 mi·3 min·I 475; US 23
13
Continue on US 23; US 20 Truck
2.8 mi·3 min·US 23; US 20 Truck
Exit 1BToward I 75 North, US 23 South, US 20 Truck East: Toledo
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward SR 795, I 80, I 90: Perrysburg
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80, I 90
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 195BToward I 80, I 90 Toll: Cleveland, Chicago
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 80 East, I 90 East: Cleveland
18
Merge onto I 80; I 90
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·Ohio Turnpike
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
9.2 mi·9 min·Ohio Turnpike
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
29 mi·31 min·Ohio Turnpike
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 180Toward SR 8: AkronUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·34 sec
Toward SR 8 South: AkronUse the straight / right lanes.
24
Merge onto SR 8
12 mi·14 min·Akron Expressway
Toward Akron
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 1BToward SR 59: Perkins StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto Goodkirk Street
332 ft·10 sec·Goodkirk Street
27
Continue on Goodkirk Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Goodkirk Street
28
Turn right onto North Forge Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·North Forge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Mill Street
30
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
162 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
31
Continue on South Main Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·South Main Street
32
Turn right onto West Bowery Street
72 ft·1 sec·West Bowery Street
33
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 55-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Akron well before evening. While the drive is short enough to manage without extensive breaks, consider a brief stop around the halfway point, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 115 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; the estimated cost is $24, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. Since you'll be on the Ohio Turnpike for a significant portion, be aware of potential toll costs in addition to fuel.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.5 miles from Grand Rapids, OH, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.2 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 20m
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 Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, OH
This is one driving day of about 153 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Grand Rapids, 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 Ohio Turnpike for about 115.2 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 151.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22.2 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80, I 90 Toll: Cleveland, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 195B
Toward I 80, I 90 Toll: Cleveland, Chicago
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward SR 8: Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 180
Toward SR 8: Akron
8
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hines Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 8 South: Akron, Boston Mills Road, Hi...
7
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 8 South: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward SR 8 South: Akron
7
151.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward SR 59: Perkins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward SR 59: Perkins Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.75 one way
$47.49 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$26.35
$52.71
premium
$4.91
$29.57
$59.14
diesel
$5.61
$33.78
$67.56
Estimated Tolls: $5.76
Ohio Turnpike
(115.2 mi)$5.76
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.39
$6.12
EV Truck/SUV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Grand Rapids, OH
Morning
in Grand Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 55m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 131.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience the efficiency of highways like the Ohio Turnpike and Akron Expressway. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 115.2 miles along the Ohio Turnpike. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal transitions between high-speed sections and local roads. This profile suggests a smooth, relatively uninterrupted journey where speed and directness are prioritized.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.2 mi on Ohio Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and Akron Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 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 28 significant decision points across 153 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 22.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Grand Rapids, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago 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 2h 55m. Total distance: 153 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.2 miles on Ohio Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.76 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 22.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
