Traveling from Lima to Akron covers 187.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 36 minutes, making it a straightforward journey across the Midwest. Since the entire trip stays within Ohio, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $28 for fuel to make the trek. You will primarily navigate via I-77, SR 7, and US 50 to reach your destination. This route is ideal for travelers who prefer a direct, highway-focused experience rather than a winding scenic detour.
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
93.7 miles from Lima, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
136.8 mi
2h 30m
SR 7
31.8 mi
38m
US 50
6.7 mi
8m
Corridor D
4.7 mi
5m
OH State Route 124
3.2 mi
4m
New Lima Road
1.3 mi
3m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
East Mill Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lima, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on C-3
1.3 mi·3 min·New Lima Road
2
Continue on C-3
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on SR 124
3.2 mi·4 min·OH State Route 124
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 7; SR 124
5.8 mi·7 min·SR 7; SR 124
5
Take the exit onto SR 7
0.5 mi·1 min·SR 7
Toward SR 7 North: Belpre
6
Turn left onto SR 7
25 mi·28 min·SR 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
8
Take the exit onto US 50
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 50
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
6.5 mi·8 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: ParkersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
4.7 mi·5 min·Corridor D
11
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
12
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
137 mi·2 hr 30 min·I 77; WV 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 1AToward Carroll Street, Buchtel AvenueUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Fountain Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Fountain Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on Fountain Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Fountain Street
16
Turn left onto SR 18
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Market Street
17
Turn left onto South Forge Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·South Forge Street
18
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Mill Street
19
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
162 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
20
Continue on South Main Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·South Main Street
21
Turn right onto West Bowery Street
72 ft·1 sec·West Bowery Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 36 minute duration, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for your departure time. You should plan for one scheduled stop to break up the long 136.8-mile stretch on I-77, ensuring you stay alert behind the wheel. Since highway driving can be taxing, keep a close watch on your fuel levels even with the estimated $28 cost to avoid any mid-trip stress. Because the route is relatively short, you have the advantage of completing the journey in one push if you prefer. Try to check real-time traffic reports for the I-77 portion before you head out to ensure your travel time stays close to the projected duration.
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 93.7 miles from Lima, OH, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.7 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m
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 Lima, 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 Lima, OH
This is one driving day of about 187.4 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Lima, 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 77 for about 136.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 185.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.9 mi into trip|~18m in|SR 7
Turn left onto SR 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
37.5 mi into trip|~48m in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
7
37.7 mi into trip|~48m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
5
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 77; WV 2
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
185.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue
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 1A
Toward Carroll Street, Buchtel Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.08 one way
$58.17 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$32.28
$64.56
premium
$4.91
$36.22
$72.44
diesel
$5.61
$41.38
$82.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.2
0
$19.68
$9.00
Efficient EV
46.9
0
$16.40
$7.50
EV Truck/SUV
75
0
$26.24
$11.99
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lima, OH
Late night
in Lima on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 6 mph32% chanceLive forecast
48°F
East Union, OH
94 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
18 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 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 187.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 95% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is defined by a consistent, efficient pace. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major roads, including a significant 136.8-mile stretch along I-77 that allows for steady cruising. The experience is undeniably highway-focused, prioritizing speed and connectivity over local road exploration. While the character of the road remains largely uniform, the transition across these major arteries keeps the drive moving forward predictably. Expect a straightforward, no-nonsense journey that gets you from Lima to Akron as reliably as possible.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.8 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and SR 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near SR 7.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 187.4 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 11.9 miles (SR 7): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.7 miles (US 50): 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.
On the drive from Lima, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Beverly 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 3h 36m. Total distance: 187.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.8 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 11.9 miles (SR 7): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.7 miles (US 50): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
