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Trip from Summerside, OH to Akron, OH

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 29m

Distance

232.8 mi

375 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 16m ★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Summerside, OH, OH

Summerside, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Trip Overview

This Midwest road trip from Summerside, Ohio, to Akron, Ohio, covers 232.8 miles and is estimated to take about 4 hours and 29 minutes. Designed as a single-day journey, this route is heavily focused on highways, with 96% of the drive taking place on interstates and expressways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $36 for this trip. The drive is straightforward, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these two Ohio locations. It's a practical way to cover the distance efficiently, with the main roads being I 71, I 76, and the Northeast Expressway.

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

116.4 miles from Summerside, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 170.6 mi 3h 6m
I 76 18.4 mi 22m
Northeast Expressway 14.2 mi 16m
Circle Freeway 13.9 mi 15m
SR 350 4.3 mi 8m
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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Summerside, OH and Akron, OH.

1

Start on this road

161 ft · 14 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Summerside Road

73 ft · 11 sec · Summerside Road
3

Turn left onto Old State Route 74

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old State Route 74
4

Turn left onto SR 32

0.5 mi · 52 sec · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the left lane.
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 275 North: Columbus
6

Merge onto I 275

14 mi · 15 min · Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 49B Toward I 71 North: Columbus Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 71

14 mi · 16 min · Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 32 Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto SR 123

515 ft · 12 sec · SR 123
11

Turn left onto SR 350

4.3 mi · 8 min · SR 350
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn left onto C-45

1.9 mi · 4 min · Middleboro Road
13

At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7

336 ft · 10 sec · Wilmington Road
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
15

Merge onto I 71

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit onto I 71

0.4 mi · 45 sec · I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto I 70; I 71

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Innerbelt
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 71

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 71
Exit 101A Toward I 71 North: Cleveland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 71

100 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron Use the slight right lane.
21

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.
22

Merge onto I 76; US 224

17 mi · 20 min · I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.9 mi · 2 min · Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
24

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.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59

2.1 mi · 2 min · Innerbelt
Exit 21C Toward SR 59 East: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on SR 59

406 ft · 13 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
27

Turn right onto West Center Street

459 ft · 19 sec · West Center Street
28

Turn left onto West Bowery Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Bowery Street
29

Arrive at destination

West Bowery Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 29-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can depart at your convenience. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel as you'll need approximately $36 worth for the 232.8 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the longest stretch of 170.6 miles on I 71; plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before entering this segment to ensure a smooth journey to Akron.

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 116.4 miles from Summerside, OH, or about 2h 18m 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 116.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 39m

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 Summerside, 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 Summerside, OH

This is one driving day of about 232.8 miles and 4h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Summerside, 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.

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, OH

116 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

Beavercreek, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbus, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.4 miles from Summerside, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.6 miles.

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 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 29.9 and 230.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
29.9 mi into trip | ~36m 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
107.4 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
208.8 mi into trip | ~3h 59m 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
209 mi into trip | ~3h 59m 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
230.2 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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

$36.13 one way

$72.26 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $40.10 $80.20
premium $4.91 $44.99 $89.99
diesel $5.61 $51.40 $102.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.8 0 $24.44 $11.17
Efficient EV 58.2 0 $20.37 $9.31
EV Truck/SUV 93.1 1 $32.59 $14.90

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Summerside, OH

Morning in Summerside on Tuesday

Local time

8:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Akron, OH

Morning in Akron on Tuesday

Local time

8:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Partly Sunny

SW 12 mph 13% chance 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

8 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 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience on this 232.8-mile drive, as 96% of your journey will be on interstates and expressways. The personality of this route is largely defined by its speed and efficiency, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 170.6 miles on I 71. You'll primarily be navigating I 71, I 76, and the Northeast Expressway, maintaining a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. While not characterized by winding country roads, this drive offers a predictable and direct path between Summerside and Akron.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 29.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 26 significant decision points across 232.8 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 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.8 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 Summerside, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon and Wheeling.

Lebanon

29.9 mi in | ~36m

Wheeling

105.7 mi in | ~2h 6m | via I 71

About the Cities

Arriving in Akron, OH

Full guide →

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.

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 4h 29m. Total distance: 232.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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