Middletown, OH to Solon, OH is 238.1 miles and takes about 4h 30m via I-71 and I-70, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Ohio, making it a straightforward drive. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a largely uninterrupted travel experience. It's a practical choice for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive overnight.
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
119.1 miles from Middletown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
I 271
25.4 mi
28m
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
Cannon Road
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,959 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Middletown, OH and Solon, 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
111 mi·2 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 271
25 mi·28 min·I 271
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 480
0.4 mi·28 sec·Outerbelt South Freeway
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 26AToward Rockside Road, Bedford HeightsUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto Rockside Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Rockside Road
25
Continue on Cannon Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Cannon Road
Use the straight lane.
26
At end of road, turn right onto Cannon Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Cannon Road
27
Turn right onto Harper Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·Harper Road
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 422 East: Warren
29
Merge onto US 422
1.2 mi·1 min·Route 422
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 18Toward SR 91: Solon, Moreland HillsUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn right onto SR 91
0.1 mi·19 sec·S.O.M. Center Road
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto Solon Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·Solon Road
Use the right lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Solon Road
Trip Plan
For this roughly 4.5-hour drive, leaving Middletown, OH in the morning should allow ample time to reach Solon, OH before evening. Given the relatively short duration, you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest continuous stretch is over 110 miles, so breaking it up is a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel level as you approach your destination, as the estimated fuel cost is $46 for the entire 238.1-mile trip.
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 119.1 miles from Middletown, OH, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.9 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.1 miles or 2h 17m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Solon, 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 238.1 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 110.9 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 237.5 — 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
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
233 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
8
233.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward Rockside Road, Bedford Heights
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 26A
Toward Rockside Road, Bedford Heights
8
237.5 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 91: Solon, Moreland Hills
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 18
Toward SR 91: Solon, Moreland Hills
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.21 one way
$82.42 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$45.43
$90.85
premium
$5.43
$50.86
$101.73
diesel
$5.35
$50.15
$100.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.33
$15.24
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Middletown, OH
Afternoon
in Middletown on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
N 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Solon, OH
Afternoon
in Solon on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
8 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 30m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 221.7
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 32.8
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 32.8
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 cruising, with 96% of the 238.1 miles on major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-71 and I-70, covering a longest stretch of 110.9 miles consecutively on I-71. Expect a high volume of exits and interchanges throughout the route, particularly as you approach urban areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.9 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 70. 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 26 significant decision points across 238.1 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 95.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,281 ft649 ft
Total Climb
962 ft
Total Descent
572 ft
Highest Point
1,281 ft
~153.1 mi in
Elevation Range
632 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 Middletown, OH to Solon, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 238.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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 110.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Solon, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles: 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; at 233 miles (I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Solon, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
