This 110.9-mile journey from Prospect to Akron, Ohio, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You'll be on major interstates for about 80% of the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this route is budget-friendly. The Midwest regions of Ohio offer a familiar landscape for this relatively short hop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Prospect, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
57.6 mi
1h 1m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West
5.4 mi
7m
US 42
5.1 mi
7m
Russell Road
5 mi
8m
Waldo-Fulton Road
3.1 mi
4m
Waldo-Ashley Road
3 mi
4m
United States Highway 42
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prospect, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on SR 47
0.6 mi·1 min·East Water Street
2
Continue on SR 47
5.4 mi·7 min·Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 47
0.3 mi·26 sec·Waldo-Delaware Road
4
Continue on SR 47
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Marion Street
5
Turn right onto SR 98
0.2 mi·19 sec·Columbus-Sandusky Road South
6
Turn right onto Waldo-Fulton Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Waldo-Fulton Road
7
Continue on Waldo-Ashley Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Waldo-Ashley Road
8
Continue on SR 746
0.7 mi·59 sec·SR 746
9
Turn left onto US 42
5.1 mi·7 min·US 42
10
Turn left onto US 42
0.5 mi·43 sec·Gilead Street
11
Continue on US 42
0.8 mi·1 min·United States Highway 42
12
Continue on US 42
2.1 mi·2 min·United States Highway 42
13
Turn slight right onto TWP 115
5.0 mi·8 min·Russell Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto SR 95
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 95
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Cleveland
16
Merge onto I 71
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
21
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.
22
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.
23
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
24
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
25
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
26
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 15-minute duration for this 110.9-mile trip, you have excellent flexibility for departure times. Leaving mid-morning is a good option to avoid early rush hours and allows for a relaxed start. Plan for one brief stop around the halfway mark if needed, especially during the longest 57.6-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $17 for the journey, and be aware that rest areas are available on the interstate sections. No specific overnight split is necessary for this efficient drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.5 miles from Prospect, OH, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
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 Prospect, 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 Prospect, OH
This is one driving day of about 110.9 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Prospect, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 57.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 87 and 108.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
87 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
6
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
8
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
$17.21 one way
$34.42 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$19.10
$38.20
premium
$4.91
$21.43
$42.87
diesel
$5.61
$24.49
$48.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.3
0
$11.64
$5.32
Efficient EV
27.7
0
$9.70
$4.44
EV Truck/SUV
44.4
0
$15.53
$7.10
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Prospect, OH
Morning
in Prospect on Tuesday
Local time
10:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
10:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Ashland, OH
55 mi in
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
22 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
2h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 110.9
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 drive for most of this 110.9-mile route, with 80% of your travel occurring on interstates like I-71 and I-76. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 57.6 miles on I-71, offering a solid period of consistent cruising. While the primary roads are highways, you'll also navigate portions of Prospect-Mt Vernon Road West. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and some local road transitions.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 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 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 110.9 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 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Prospect, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 110.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Akron, OH before heading back.
