This straightforward, 245.6-mile drive from New Richmond, OH to Akron, OH is designed for a single day, clocking in at about 4 hours and 49 minutes of pure travel time. You'll spend most of your journey on major highways, making it an efficient trip through the heart of Ohio. With a projected fuel cost of $38, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive focuses on getting you from point A to point B effectively, with minimal detours. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection within the Midwest region.
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
122.8 miles from New Richmond, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Circle Freeway
16.4 mi
18m
Northeast Expressway
14.2 mi
16m
US 52
6.5 mi
9m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Eight Mile Road
2.8 mi
5m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Western Avenue
88 ft·4 sec·Western Avenue
2
Turn left onto Plenty Street
473 ft·26 sec·Plenty Street
3
Turn left onto Hamilton Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Hamilton Street
4
Continue on Center Street
390 ft·19 sec·Center Street
5
Turn right onto Walnut Street
325 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
6
Turn left onto US 52
6.5 mi·9 min·US 52
7
Turn right onto Eight Mile Road
2.8 mi·5 min·Eight Mile Road
8
Turn right onto SR 125
0.5 mi·58 sec·Beechmont Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on SR 125
0.8 mi·1 min·Ohio Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 275 North: Columbus
11
Merge onto I 275
16 mi·18 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 49BToward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 71
14 mi·16 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
16
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
20
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
32
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
33
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
34
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 49-minute duration, departing in the morning from New Richmond will comfortably get you to Akron by the afternoon. With only one recommended stop and a 95% highway share, you can easily manage this drive in a single day. The projected fuel cost of $38 is reasonable, but it’s always wise to top off your tank before leaving New Richmond, especially before embarking on the 170.6-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Akron area, as congestion can sometimes impact the Circle Freeway.
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 122.8 miles from New Richmond, OH, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 54 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.8 miles or 2h 31m 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 57m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, OH
This is one driving day of about 245.6 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from New Richmond, 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 170.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.7 and 243.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
42.7 mi into trip|~56m 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
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
221.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
221.9 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
243.1 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
$38.12 one way
$76.23 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$42.30
$84.61
premium
$4.91
$47.47
$94.93
diesel
$5.61
$54.23
$108.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.49
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New Richmond, OH
Late night
in New Richmond on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live 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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 49m 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 66.9
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 242.5
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 58.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, with 95% of this route utilizing interstate travel. The main arteries for this journey are I-71 and I-76, culminating on the Circle Freeway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of uninterrupted driving for 170.6 miles on I-71. This profile suggests a consistent pace, largely free from the complexities of local roads, making it suitable for those who prefer to maintain highway speeds for extended periods.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.6 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 42.7 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 27 significant decision points across 245.6 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 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 New Richmond, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 245.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.6 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 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 221.6 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
