Ironton, OH to Cuyahoga Falls, OH is 246.9 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I-71, US-23, and I-76, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. You'll likely find this route to be a no-fuss way to get from Southern Ohio to the northeast part of the state.
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
123.4 miles from Ironton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
101.8 mi
1h 51m
US 23
68 mi
1h 29m
I 76
20.3 mi
24m
US 52
19.7 mi
21m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.4 mi
17m
Akron Expressway
4.7 mi
6m
South Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
South High Street
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,981
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironton, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
1
Start on Center Street
183 ft·10 sec·Center Street
2
Turn right onto South 6th Street
371 ft·21 sec·South 6th Street
3
Turn left onto SR 93
0.3 mi·30 sec·Park Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto SR 93
66 ft·1 sec·State Route 93
5
Continue on SR 93
0.1 mi·9 sec·State Route 93
6
Enter roundabout
23 ft·0 sec
7
Continue
0.2 mi·28 sec
8
Merge onto US 52
20 mi·21 min·US 52
9
Take the exit onto SR 823
16 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward SR 823 North: Chillicothe
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 16Toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
11
Merge onto US 23
34 mi·45 min·US 23
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
34 mi·44 min·US 23
Toward US 23 North: ColumbusUse the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 23
2.6 mi·3 min·South High Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 270: Columbus, Wheeling
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 55Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 71
3.6 mi·4 min·South Freeway
20
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
28
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.
29
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.
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto SR 8
4.7 mi·6 min·Akron Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 5AToward Broad BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi·31 sec·Broad Boulevard
34
Turn left onto 2nd Street
56 ft·2 sec·2nd Street
35
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m drive time, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Leaving Ironton in the morning should get you to Cuyahoga Falls by early afternoon. You'll have only one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the 101.8-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway portions, as services can sometimes be spread out on interstates. The $38 fuel estimate is based on average prices, so adjust based on current rates.
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 123.4 miles from Ironton, OH, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 1m
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 Ironton, 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 Ironton, OH
This is one driving day of about 246.9 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Ironton, 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 101.8 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.8 and 218 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
8
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
217.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
218 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
$40.37 one way
$80.74 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$45.29
$90.58
premium
$5.23
$50.85
$101.70
diesel
$6.28
$61.01
$122.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.92
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.57
$15.80
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ironton, OH
Night
in Ironton on Thursday
Local time
11:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Night
in Cuyahoga Falls on Thursday
Local time
11:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NW 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 56m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 68.3
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 247.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 90% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 101.8 miles, which will be on I-71. Expect a consistent driving experience with relatively frequent exits for the first part of the drive. As you transition, the highway segment will eventually give way to surface roads for the final portion.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 70.8 miles in near US 23.
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 30 significant decision points across 246.9 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 70.8 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.5 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,373 ft540 ft
Total Climb
1,385 ft
Total Descent
908 ft
Highest Point
1,373 ft
~176.9 mi in
Elevation Range
833 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ironton, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling, Columbus and Akron.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 246.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.8 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.5 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cuyahoga Falls, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
