Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Summerside, OH to Akron, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 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
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.
Summerside, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Akron, OH
Wikimedia Commons
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
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Dupre Roadside Park
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Northbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Southbound Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 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
$35.77 one way
$71.54 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $40.35 | $80.69 |
| premium | $4.99 | $45.71 | $91.42 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.96 | $87.91 |
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Summerside, OH
Late night in Summerside on Monday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph
54% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:35PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night in Akron on Monday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 14 mph
95% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:35PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland 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
1 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 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.
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 232.8
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 56.2
View on nps.gov
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 48.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,323 ft
671 ft
Total Climb
931 ft
Total Descent
846 ft
Highest Point
1,323 ft
~166.3 mi in
Elevation Range
652 ft
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.
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
Starting in Summerside, OH
Full guide →Arriving in Akron, OH
Full guide →Founded 1825
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
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.
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 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.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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