Lodi to Akron is 146.5 miles and takes about 3h 9m via Water Street and North State Rt. 2, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, traversing familiar Midwest landscapes. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, offering a more intimate driving experience than a pure interstate trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for those seeking a manageable drive without a significant time commitment.
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
73.2 miles from Lodi, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Water Street
54.8 mi
1h 2m
North State Rt. 2
22.4 mi
27m
Cadiz-Dennison Road
21.4 mi
30m
SR 7
11.3 mi
12m
Cadiz-Harrisville Road
8.3 mi
12m
Pleasant Grove Road
4.9 mi
7m
State Route 7
4.8 mi
7m
Colerain Road
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Water Street
— 54.8 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on SR 7
1.6 mi·2 min·State Route 7
2
Continue on SR 7
1.0 mi·1 min·5th Avenue
3
Continue on SR 7
3.2 mi·4 min·State Route 7
4
Turn right
0.2 mi·18 sec
5
Continue on WV 7
0.4 mi·37 sec·New Martinsville Bridge
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
7
Merge onto WV 2
0.3 mi·23 sec·3rd Street
8
Continue on WV 2
1.3 mi·1 min·North State Route 2
9
Continue on WV 2
22 mi·27 min·North State Rt. 2
10
Turn left onto WV 2 Spur
0.4 mi·30 sec·12th Street
11
Continue on SR 872
0.3 mi·27 sec·SR 872
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
13
Continue on SR 7
11 mi·12 min·SR 7
14
Take the exit onto SR 767; SR 7 Alt
0.1 mi·22 sec·SR 767; SR 7 Alt
Toward I 70, US 40, US 250: Wheeling, Bridgeport
15
Turn right onto SR 767
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Lincoln Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 250
0.7 mi·1 min·Cadiz Pike
17
Continue on US 250
0.4 mi·39 sec·Sunset Heights Road
18
Continue on US 250
2.8 mi·4 min·Sunset Heights Road
19
Continue on US 250
3.8 mi·5 min·Colerain Road
20
Continue on US 250
4.9 mi·7 min·Pleasant Grove Road
21
Continue on US 250
8.3 mi·12 min·Cadiz-Harrisville Road
22
Continue on US 250
2.2 mi·3 min·East Market Street
23
Turn slight left onto Deersville Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Deersville Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 250
21 mi·30 min·Cadiz-Dennison Road
25
Continue on US 250; SR 800
1.1 mi·1 min·US 250; SR 800
26
Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 250; SR 800
Toward US 250 West, SR 800 North: Uhrichsville, New Philadelphia
27
Turn right onto US 250; SR 800
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Water Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 1AToward Carroll Street, Buchtel AvenueUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto Fountain Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Fountain Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Continue on Fountain Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Fountain Street
31
Turn left onto SR 18
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Market Street
32
Turn left onto South Forge Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·South Forge Street
33
Continue on East Mill Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Mill Street
34
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
162 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
35
Continue on South Main Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·South Main Street
36
Turn right onto West Bowery Street
72 ft·1 sec·West Bowery Street
37
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 9m duration and local road focus, consider an early morning departure from Lodi to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic during peak local hours. The drive is comfortably manageable in a single day, so flexibility with stops is key; plan for one main stop to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 54.8-mile stretch on Water Street, as services might be less frequent on these local roads. The $23 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for your budgeting.
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 73.2 miles from Lodi, OH, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.8 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 38m 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 36m
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 Lodi, 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 Lodi, OH
This is one driving day of about 146.5 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lodi, 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 Water Street for about 54.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.6 and 144.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
31.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
43.2 mi into trip|~53m in|SR 767; SR 7 Alt
Take the exit onto SR 767; SR 7 Alt toward I 70, US 40, US 250: Wheeling, Bridgeport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70, US 40, US 250: Wheeling, Bridgepor...
5
89.8 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 250; SR 800
Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800 toward US 250 West, SR 800 North: Uhrichsville, New Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 250 West, SR 800 North: Uhrichsville,...
6
90.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|US 250; SR 800 / Water Street
Turn right onto US 250; SR 800 / Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
144.9 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
$22.74 one way
$45.47 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.23
$50.47
premium
$4.91
$28.31
$56.63
diesel
$5.61
$32.35
$64.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.9
0
$15.38
$7.03
Efficient EV
36.6
0
$12.82
$5.86
EV Truck/SUV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lodi, OH
Morning
in Lodi on Tuesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Colerain, OH
73 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
25 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 9m 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 146.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive profile, with only 13% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a consistent flow of local roads, including Water Street, North State Rt. 2, and Cadiz-Dennison Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.8 miles on Water Street, offering a substantial period of consistent driving before transitions. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and varying road conditions as you navigate through towns and rural areas.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.8 mi on Water Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 146.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 43.2 miles (SR 767; SR 7 Alt): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.8 miles (US 250; SR 800): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lodi, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Bridgeport and New Philadelphia.
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 9m. Total distance: 146.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.8 miles on Water Street. 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 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 43.2 miles (SR 767; SR 7 Alt): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.8 miles (US 250; SR 800): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
