Lakewood to New Philadelphia is 84 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via State Route 21 and US 62, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip, making it an easy option for a quick getaway or a transitional leg of a longer journey. You'll find the route efficient for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Lakewood, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 21
28.7 mi
35m
Willow Freeway
25 mi
30m
US 62
9.8 mi
15m
US 250
9.8 mi
11m
Northwest Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
Troy Lee James Highway
1.9 mi
2m
West High Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Warren Road
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
State Route 21
— 28.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, OH and New Philadelphia, OH.
1
Start on Franklin Boulevard
456 ft·18 sec·Franklin Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Warren Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Warren Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto South Marginal Drive
302 ft·7 sec·South Marginal Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 90 East: Cleveland
5
Merge onto I 90
4.8 mi·6 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 490
1.9 mi·2 min·Troy Lee James Highway
Toward To I 77Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
432 ft·10 sec
Toward I 77: Downtown, AkronUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 77 South: AkronUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 77
25 mi·30 min·Willow Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21
29 mi·35 min·State Route 21
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 62; SR 21
9.8 mi·15 min·US 62; SR 21
12
Continue on US 250
3.0 mi·3 min·US 250
13
Take the exit onto US 250
6.6 mi·7 min·US 250
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 250
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 250
15
Take the exit onto US 250 Business
0.2 mi·34 sec·US 250 Business
Toward SR 39 East: New Philadelphia
16
Turn left onto US 250 Business; SR 39
1.9 mi·3 min·West High Avenue
17
Turn left onto SR 416
55 ft·1 sec·North Broadway Street
18
Arrive at destination
SR 416
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 50 minute duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning provides ample daylight to complete the 84-mile drive without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, it's wise to ensure you have enough gas before you depart Lakewood, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 28.7 miles on State Route 21. Plan for one quick stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs before the final push into New Philadelphia.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42 miles from Lakewood, OH, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Philadelphia, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakewood, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakewood, OH
This is one driving day of about 84 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lakewood, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 21 for about 28.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 75.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 490 / Troy Lee James Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 490 / Troy Lee James Highway toward To I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward To I 77
7
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 77: Downtown, 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.
Toward I 77: Downtown, Akron
7
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 77 South: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 77 South: Akron
6
33.6 mi into trip|~43m in|SR 21 / State Route 21
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21 / State Route 21
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 250
Take the exit onto US 250
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.07 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$14.47
$28.94
premium
$4.91
$16.23
$32.47
diesel
$5.61
$18.55
$37.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.82
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lakewood, OH
Morning
in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Philadelphia, OH
Morning
in New Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
1h 50m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 84 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 28.7 miles on State Route 21, likely with a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, offering a change in pace as you approach your destination. Expect a fairly direct and predictable path for most of the 1 hour and 50 minute travel time.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on State Route 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 21 and Willow Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near I 490 / Troy Lee James Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (I 490 / Troy Lee James Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakewood, OH and New Philadelphia, OH, road signs point toward To I 77 and Akron.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on State Route 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 New Philadelphia, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (I 490 / Troy Lee James Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 New Philadelphia, OH before heading back.
