Origin
Shelby, OH
Morning in Shelby on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shelby, OH to Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
78.5 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shelby, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 78.5-mile drive from Shelby to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a transition between Midwest locations. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on I-71 and I-76, with a brief section on Mansfield Avenue. This highway-focused profile suggests a direct and efficient travel experience, ideal for those prioritizing arrival time over leisurely exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Shelby, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 31.9 mi | 34m |
| I 76 | 20.3 mi | 24m |
| Mansfield Avenue | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Akron Expressway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Springmill Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 31.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
1
Start on SR 61
33 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Gamble Street
2
Turn left onto SR 39; SR 96
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn right onto SR 39
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Mansfield Avenue
4
Continue on SR 39
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Springmill Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 129
Toward US 30 East: Wooster
6
Merge onto US 30
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 176
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
Merge onto I 71
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
16
Merge onto SR 8
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Akron Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 5A
Toward Broad Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Broad Boulevard
19
Turn left onto 2nd Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
2nd Street
20
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 39 minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can depart at your leisure without needing to split the drive. With a fuel cost of around $12, it's a budget-friendly option. Plan to leave Shelby with a full tank, as the longest stretch without significant road changes is 31.9 miles on I-71. While there are no explicitly noted stops, keep an eye on your fuel gauge and consider a brief pause at a rest area along I-71 or I-76 if needed. The primary roads are I-71 and I-76, so ensure your navigation is set for these major highways to maintain efficiency.
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 39.3 miles from Shelby, OH, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.9 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 50m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cuyahoga Falls, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shelby, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shelby, OH
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Shelby, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 31.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Shelby, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 78 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the ramp toward US 30 East: Wooster
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Exit 129
Toward US 30 East: Wooster
8
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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
49.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
7
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Broad Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5A
Toward Broad Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.18 one way
$24.37 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $13.52 | $27.04 |
| premium | $4.91 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.33 | $34.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.24 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Morning in Cuyahoga Falls on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Ashland, OH
39 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
10 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
1h 39m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 82% of the journey on interstates like I-71 and I-76. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-71, covering 31.9 miles. This means you'll be on higher-speed roads for the bulk of your travel, with opportunities to cover ground efficiently. While the route is largely highway-based, the inclusion of Mansfield Avenue hints at potential brief transitions onto more local thoroughfares, though the overall character remains that of a swift, direct connection.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.9 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 10.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 49.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Shelby, OH to Cuyahoga Falls, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Akron
49.5 mi in
|
~1h 1m
About the Cities
Starting in Shelby, OH
Full guide →Shelby is a city in Richland County, in the state of Ohio, USA.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 49.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cuyahoga Falls, OH before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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