New Lebanon to Akron is 205 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I-71, I-70, and I-76, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, primarily within Ohio. It's a largely efficient trip, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. Expect a straightforward drive that focuses on covering ground rather than extensive sightseeing.
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
102.6 miles from New Lebanon, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
49.2 mi
53m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
SR 4
16.6 mi
20m
West 3rd Street
8.9 mi
13m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 New Lebanon, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on this road
93 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South Church Street
200 ft·12 sec·South Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 35
0.5 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
4
Continue on US 35
0.5 mi·46 sec·Dayton Eaton Pike
5
Continue on US 35
8.9 mi·13 min·West 3rd Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 75 North: Toledo
7
Merge onto I 75; SR 4
0.5 mi·41 sec·I 75; SR 4
8
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4
11 mi·13 min·SR 4
Exit 54BToward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street, Keowee StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit onto SR 4
5.8 mi·7 min·SR 4
Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
23
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
24
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 56m estimated drive time, departing New Lebanon in the morning will easily get you to Akron before evening. With a fuel cost estimated around $31, you can budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you get closer to urban areas.
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 102.6 miles from New Lebanon, OH, or about 2h 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 2h 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 11m
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 New Lebanon, 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 New Lebanon, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.3 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from New Lebanon, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 202.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
10.8 mi into trip|~17m in|SR 4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street, Keowee Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 54B
Toward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street,...
8
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
181.5 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
202.7 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
$31.55 one way
$63.09 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.58
$71.16
premium
$4.99
$40.31
$80.62
diesel
$4.80
$38.76
$77.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.56
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.74
$13.14
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
New Lebanon, OH
Night
in New Lebanon on Sunday
Local time
10:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 9 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Akron, OH
Night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
10:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Smoke
NW 3 to 8 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
3 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 56m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 28.3
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 205.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 93% of this 205.3-mile trip on major highways, specifically I-71, I-70, and I-76. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 99.5 miles, all on I-71. This means you'll encounter a high density of exits and potentially urban merging as you approach Akron. The route is predominantly highway cruising.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
9/10
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 10.8 miles in near SR 4.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 205.3 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 10.8 miles (SR 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 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
1,293 ft773 ft
Total Climb
993 ft
Total Descent
939 ft
Highest Point
1,293 ft
~131.9 mi in
Elevation Range
520 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 New Lebanon, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland 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.
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 3h 56m. Total distance: 205.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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.
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 10.8 miles (SR 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
