Reading, OH to Akron, OH is 225.9 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region of Reading to the Midwest region of Akron. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, so pack snacks and enjoy the efficient transit between these two Ohio cities.
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
113 miles from Reading, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Northeast Expressway
18.2 mi
21m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 158 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,087 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,731
Quietest
2 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
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 Reading, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Market Street
256 ft·17 sec·Market Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Benson Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Benson Street
3
Continue on East Benson Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·East Benson Avenue
4
Turn right onto East Columbia Avenue
0.2 mi·46 sec·East Columbia Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Continue on Ridge Road
439 ft·20 sec·Ridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward SR 126 East: Ronald Reagan HighwayUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto SR 126
2.9 mi·3 min·Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 32B&CToward I 71: Columbus, CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 32CToward I 71 North: Columbus
10
Merge onto I 71
18 mi·21 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
13
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
17
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
29
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
30
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
31
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Reading in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach Akron. With only one day recommended, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 170 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before you get too deep into that segment. While the drive is predominantly highway, keep an eye out for the dense exit patterns as you get closer to metropolitan 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 113 miles from Reading, OH, or about 2h 17m 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 50 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113 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 36m
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 Reading, 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 Reading, OH
This is one driving day of about 225.9 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Reading, 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 1.2 and 202.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward SR 126 East: Ronald Reagan Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 126 East: Ronald Reagan Highway
8
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Columbus, Cincinnati
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 32B&C
Toward I 71: Columbus, Cincinnati
8
23.1 mi into trip|~31m 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
100.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
9
202.2 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
$34.71 one way
$69.42 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.15
$78.30
premium
$4.99
$44.35
$88.71
diesel
$4.80
$42.65
$85.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.8
0
$23.72
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.77
$9.04
EV Truck/SUV
90.4
1
$31.63
$14.46
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Reading, OH
Morning
in Reading on Monday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:50PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:48PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Monday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 16 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:50PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:48PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
2 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 24m 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 46.7
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 225.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience on this route, with 94% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter one long stretch of 170.6 miles primarily on I-71. The majority of your travel will be on the Northeast Expressway, which is part of the interstate system. The transition from the interstate to surface roads will occur late in your drive, closer to Akron.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 1.2 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 225.9 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 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,326 ft561 ft
Total Climb
1,135 ft
Total Descent
736 ft
Highest Point
1,326 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
765 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reading, 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.
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 225.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
