If you are planning a trip from Lebanon to Akron, expect a straightforward 205.6-mile journey across the Ohio landscape. The drive typically takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, with I-71 and I-76 serving as the primary corridors. Budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since you are traveling entirely within the Midwest region, you can anticipate consistent terrain and familiar infrastructure throughout the trip. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, this route provides a reliable and efficient path between the two cities.
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
102.8 miles from Lebanon, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
162.3 mi
2h 57m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
SR 73
8.9 mi
12m
Columbus Avenue
8.7 mi
13m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
South Innerbelt
1.3 mi
1m
West Bowery Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 130 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,905 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,549
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lebanon, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on East Silver Street
199 ft·12 sec·East Silver Street
2
Turn left onto North High Street
401 ft·19 sec·North High Street
3
Turn right onto US 42
149 ft·5 sec·East Warren Street
4
Turn straight onto US 42
8.7 mi·13 min·Columbus Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 73
8.9 mi·12 min·SR 73
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
7
Merge onto I 71
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
19
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
20
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 56-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest segment of your drive spans over 160 miles, timing your break around the midpoint of the I-71 stretch will help you maintain focus. Check local traffic reports before departing, as interstate congestion can occasionally impact your arrival time. Given the $31 fuel estimate, filling up your tank before you leave Lebanon will save you the hassle of searching for stations mid-trip. The flexibility of this single-day itinerary allows you to depart at your convenience, though leaving early in the morning is often the best way to avoid peak highway congestion.
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 102.8 miles from Lebanon, OH, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.6 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Lebanon, 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 162.3 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 78.5 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
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 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
80.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
181.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
8
203 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|SR 59 / Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59 / Innerbelt toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21C
Toward SR 59 East: Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.59 one way
$63.19 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.63
$71.26
premium
$4.99
$40.37
$80.73
diesel
$4.80
$38.82
$77.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.78
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Lebanon, OH
Late night
in Lebanon on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 to 12 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Smoke
NW 3 to 8 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
3h 56m 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 28.4
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 205.6
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 7.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 93 percent of your travel taking place on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the route features a significant 162.3-mile stretch along I-71. While you will start your departure on SR 73, the transition to the interstate system is seamless and direct. Expect a consistent, efficient pace that favors speed over winding backroads. Because the drive is dominated by heavy highway usage, you can anticipate a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that is ideal for those who prefer to minimize technical driving maneuvers.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.3 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 78.5 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 205.6 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 78.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft702 ft
Total Climb
983 ft
Total Descent
711 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
~154.2 mi in
Elevation Range
615 ft
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 Lebanon, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Wheeling 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.
Top landmarks
•Goodyear Airdock — located in Akron, Ohio
•Akron Public Library — Carnegie library in Akron, Ohio
•CitiCenter Building — historic building in Akron, Ohio, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 205.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m 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 162.3 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
