Hilliard, OH to Cuyahoga Falls, OH is 134.4 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it’s a straightforward drive. You’ll likely find it an efficient way to get from point A to point B, especially if you're looking to maximize your time at your destination rather than on the road.
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
67.2 miles from Hilliard, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
89.7 mi
1h 36m
I 76
20.3 mi
24m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Akron Expressway
4.7 mi
6m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Cemetery Road
1.7 mi
3m
Norwich Street
0.4 mi
1m
Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilliard, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
1
Start on Columbia Street
254 ft·10 sec·Columbia Street
2
Turn right onto Norwich Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Norwich Street
3
Turn left onto CR 30
1.7 mi·3 min·Cemetery Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left
0.5 mi·50 sec
Toward I 270 North: DublinUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 270
12 mi·13 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 26Toward I 71: Columbus, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
1.8 mi·2 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto SR 8
4.7 mi·6 min·Akron Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 5AToward Broad BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi·31 sec·Broad Boulevard
19
Turn left onto 2nd Street
56 ft·2 sec·2nd Street
20
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 2.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is a good bet, allowing you to arrive with plenty of the day ahead. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under three hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The $21 fuel cost estimate is quite manageable, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach Cuyahoga Falls, as the shift from interstate to local roads can sometimes be disorienting, especially with the density of exits.
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 67.2 miles from Hilliard, OH, or about 1h 17m 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.2 miles or 1h 17m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cuyahoga Falls, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hilliard, 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 Hilliard, OH
This is one driving day of about 134.4 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Hilliard, 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 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 14.5 and 125.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.5 mi into trip|~19m 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
7
15 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
105.3 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
105.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
7
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.86 one way
$41.72 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$23.15
$46.30
premium
$4.91
$25.98
$51.95
diesel
$5.61
$29.67
$59.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.3
0
$14.11
$6.45
Efficient EV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
EV Truck/SUV
53.8
0
$18.82
$8.60
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 21, 2026
Origin
Hilliard, OH
Morning
in Hilliard on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Areas Of Frost
SE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 21 at 2:52AM EDT until April 23 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 21 at 2:52AM EDT until April 24 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Morning
in Cuyahoga Falls on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
SE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 21 at 2:52AM EDT until April 23 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 21 at 2:52AM EDT until April 24 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
64°F
Mansfield, OH
67 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
5 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 36m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 134.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the driving on major freeways. You'll experience an 89.7-mile stretch on I 71, which is the longest continuous section of highway driving. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely closer to Cuyahoga Falls as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you navigate these interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 around 14.5 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 18 significant decision points across 134.4 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 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.3 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 Hilliard, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
14.5 mi in|~19m
Akron
105.3 mi in|~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 134.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m 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 89.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cuyahoga Falls, 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 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cuyahoga Falls, OH before heading back.
