This 167.2-mile drive from Saint Paris, OH to Akron, OH is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Predominantly highway-focused, you'll spend about 70% of your journey on major interstates like I-71 and I-76. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest excursion is around $26. With only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward path for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently within Ohio.
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
83.6 miles from Saint Paris, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78.1 mi
1h 23m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
Delaware Avenue
14.4 mi
16m
West Main Street
11.3 mi
15m
Scioto Street
10.7 mi
16m
SR 4
9.6 mi
10m
State Route 37 East
5.9 mi
8m
East Sandusky Street
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paris, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 36
11 mi·15 min·West Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto US 36; SR 29
97 ft·1 sec·Scioto Street
4
Continue on US 36; SR 29
1.2 mi·2 min·Scioto Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 29
9.5 mi·14 min·Scioto Street
6
Continue on SR 29; SR 559
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
7
Turn left onto SR 4
5.4 mi·7 min·East Sandusky Street
8
Turn slight left onto SR 4
9.6 mi·10 min·SR 4
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 4
3.7 mi·4 min·US 36; SR 4
10
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 36
Exit 93Toward US 36 East: DelawareUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 36
14 mi·16 min·Delaware Avenue
12
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·West William Street
13
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
14
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.9 mi·8 min·State Route 37 East
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
16
Merge onto I 71
78 mi·1 hr 23 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 3-hour and 20-minute duration, departing Saint Paris in the morning allows ample time to reach Akron without feeling rushed. You can easily complete this 167.2-mile trip in a single day, with the flexibility to make a quick stop if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 78.1-mile stretch on I-71, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The $26 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting this straightforward drive across Ohio.
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 83.6 miles from Saint Paris, OH, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 37 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
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 Saint Paris, 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 Saint Paris, OH
This is one driving day of about 167.2 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Saint Paris, 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 78.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 41 and 164.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
41 mi into trip|~56m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward US 36 East: Delaware
8
143.3 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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
143.5 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
7
163.5 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
164.7 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$25.95 one way
$51.90 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$28.80
$57.60
premium
$4.91
$32.31
$64.63
diesel
$5.61
$36.92
$73.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.56
$8.03
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.63
$6.69
EV Truck/SUV
66.9
0
$23.41
$10.70
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Paris, OH
Afternoon
in Saint Paris on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Afternoon
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Berkshire, OH
84 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
7 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
3h 20m 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 167.2
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 5.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this 167.2-mile journey, with 70% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.1 miles along I-71. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed freeways, there are sections that transition to Delaware Avenue, offering a slight change of pace. The overall character is one of consistent forward momentum, making it a utilitarian route for covering ground.
70% 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: 78.1 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 41 miles in near US 36.
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 16 significant decision points across 167.2 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 41 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3h 20m. Total distance: 167.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.1 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 41 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles: 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
