Middletown, OH to Austintown, OH is 261.5 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 71, I 76, and I 70, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Ohio, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so it's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for a quick transit.
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
130.8 miles from Middletown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
I 675
24.7 mi
28m
I 75
5.6 mi
6m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
North Verity Parkway
4.3 mi
6m
I 80
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,981
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Middletown, OH and Austintown, OH.
1
Start on Clark Street
122 ft·7 sec·Clark Street
2
Turn right onto Central Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 4; SR 73
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Clinton Street
4
Continue on SR 4; SR 73
4.3 mi·6 min·North Verity Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on SR 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Middletown Pike
6
Turn straight onto SR 73 Truck
0.7 mi·1 min·Riley Boulevard
7
Turn right onto SR 123
1.2 mi·2 min·East 6th Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 75 North: DaytonUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
5.6 mi·6 min·I 75
10
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 43Toward I 675 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 675
16 mi·18 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 675
9.0 mi·10 min·I 675
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 26AToward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi·1 min·I 70; SR 4
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
2.9 mi·3 min·I 80
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward SR 46: Niles
29
Turn right onto SR 46
1.5 mi·2 min·North Canfield Niles Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Turn sharp right onto CR 105
216 ft·11 sec·Ohltown Road
31
Turn left
30 ft·2 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Middletown in the morning to take advantage of the 4h 58m estimated drive time. Since this is a one-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch without a major road change is 99.5 miles on I 71, so plan your first fuel stop before or shortly after that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longer highway portions.
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 130.8 miles from Middletown, OH, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austintown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Middletown, 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 Middletown, OH
This is one driving day of about 261.5 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Middletown, 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 99.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 196.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Turn left toward I 75 North: Dayton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Dayton
7
13.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 675 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward I 675 North: Columbus
8
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
8
196.2 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
196.4 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.76 one way
$85.51 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$47.97
$95.93
premium
$5.23
$53.85
$107.71
diesel
$6.28
$64.61
$129.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.46
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Middletown, OH
Night
in Middletown on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Austintown, OH
Night
in Austintown on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SE 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
4 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 58m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 36.1
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 216.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 261.5 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 99.5 miles on I 71 before transitioning to other major routes. Expect a continuous flow of traffic and frequent exits as you cover most of the distance on major freeways.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 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 7.7 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 25 significant decision points across 261.5 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 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,299 ft649 ft
Total Climb
1,199 ft
Total Descent
717 ft
Highest Point
1,299 ft
~168.1 mi in
Elevation Range
650 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middletown, OH and Austintown, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.5 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Austintown, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Austintown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
