Union, OH to Parma, OH is 205.4 miles and takes about 3h 55m via I 71 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily within Ohio, offering a straightforward trip between two points. With 90% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the 3-hour-and-55-minute drive. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause to break up the 205.4 miles. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground if you're looking for a direct route.
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
102.7 miles from Union, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
I 70
66.7 mi
1h 12m
Ridge Road
14.9 mi
24m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
I 271
3.3 mi
3m
North Main Street
3.2 mi
5m
Snow Road
0.6 mi
1m
North Innerbelt
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,390 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~352 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
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 Union, OH and Parma, OH.
1
Start on SR 48
3.2 mi·5 min·North Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 70 East: ColumbusUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 70
17 mi·19 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
111 mi·2 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 271
3.3 mi·3 min·I 271
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 3Toward SR 94: Wadsworth, North RoyaltonUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 94
15 mi·24 min·Ridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Snow Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Snow Road
14
Turn right onto West 54th Street
47 ft·1 sec·West 54th Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 54th Street
Trip Plan
For this 205.4-mile trip, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable 3-hour-and-55-minute drive. The recommended single stop is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel, especially before tackling the longest stretch of 110.9 miles on I 71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $31. Since this is a relatively short, mostly highway drive, you have flexibility; however, planning for potential traffic around urban areas is a good idea.
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 102.7 miles from Union, OH, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.9 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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 1h 54m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parma, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union, 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 Union, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Union, 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 110.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 189.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East: Columbus
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East: Columbus
7
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
7
75 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 94: Wadsworth, North Royalton
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 3
Toward SR 94: Wadsworth, North Royalton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.56 one way
$63.12 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.60
$71.19
premium
$4.99
$40.33
$80.66
diesel
$4.80
$38.78
$77.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.57
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.97
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.76
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Union, OH
Morning
in Union on Monday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Smoke
NW 6 to 9 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Parma, OH
Morning
in Parma on Monday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Patchy Smoke
NW 7 to 10 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
84°F
Ashley, OH
103 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 198.3
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 21.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the 205.4 miles on interstates like I 71 and I 70. You'll experience a long stretch of 110.9 miles on I 71, so be prepared for sustained highway cruising. Ridge Road marks the transition to surface streets, indicating the end of the highway portion of your drive. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic common to major interstate corridors.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 205.4 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 70.1 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.4 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,326 ft745 ft
Total Climb
1,103 ft
Total Descent
1,163 ft
Highest Point
1,326 ft
~132 mi in
Elevation Range
580 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, OH and Parma, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Royalton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 205.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Parma, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 70.1 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.4 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Parma, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
