Loveland Park, OH to Akron, OH is 215.6 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. With 94% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive primarily on interstates. This is a relatively short, single-day trip that's easy to plan and execute.
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
107.8 miles from Loveland Park, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
178.9 mi
3h 15m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Columbia Road
2.8 mi
4m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
South Innerbelt
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 178.9 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 158 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,106 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,829
Quietest
2 AM
~233 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Loveland Park, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Davis Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Davis Road
2
Enter roundabout onto Columbia Road
33 ft·0 sec·Columbia Road
3
Continue on Columbia Road
2.8 mi·4 min·Columbia Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto Western Row Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Western Row Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 71
8.3 mi·9 min·I 71
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
9
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
13
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
25
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
26
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
27
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour driving time, leaving in the morning allows plenty of time to reach Akron before evening. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, especially since the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 179 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so be sure to check current prices. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time and can adjust your stop for gas or a break as needed, perhaps around the halfway point where I 71 and SR 350 meet.
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 107.8 miles from Loveland Park, OH, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.9 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 25m
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 Loveland Park, 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 Loveland Park, OH
This is one driving day of about 215.6 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Loveland Park, 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 178.9 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 213.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
191.7 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
191.9 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
213.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$33.73 one way
$67.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$37.98
$75.95
premium
$5.06
$42.92
$85.83
diesel
$6.18
$52.45
$104.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.64
$10.35
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.62
EV Truck/SUV
86.2
1
$30.18
$13.80
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Loveland Park, OH
Morning
in Loveland Park on Tuesday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
8:20 AM
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
2 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 12m 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.
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 37.2
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 215.6
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 29.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with 94% of the 215.6-mile route on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 178.9 miles on I 71. Expect the interstate driving to conclude around mile 203, transitioning to surface roads for the final leg. Keep an eye out for dense exit activity as you approach urban areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 12.8 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 215.6 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 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.7 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
1,288 ft729 ft
Total Climb
983 ft
Total Descent
752 ft
Highest Point
1,288 ft
~152.7 mi in
Elevation Range
559 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Loveland Park, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon and Wheeling.
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 4h 12m. Total distance: 215.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.7 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
