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Trip from University Heights, OH to Mansfield, 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 40m

Distance

83.4 mi

134 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

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

city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States

University Heights, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mansfield, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 83.4-mile drive from University Heights, OH to Mansfield, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71, I-271, and US-30, this route focuses on efficient highway travel through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's a budget-friendly option for getting between these two Ohio locations. The straightforward nature of this drive makes it ideal for those prioritizing directness and ease of navigation within the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.7 miles from University Heights, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 43.1 mi 46m
I 271 24.3 mi 26m
US 30 4.8 mi 6m
Northfield Road 2.9 mi 5m
Warrensville Center Road 2.6 mi 6m
Outerbelt South Freeway 1.7 mi 2m
North Main Street 1.5 mi 2m
Outerbelt East Freeway 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 43.1 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University Heights, OH and Mansfield, OH.

1

Start on Silsby Road

301 ft · 17 sec · Silsby Road
2

Turn right onto CR 4

2.6 mi · 6 min · Warrensville Center Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn left onto SR 8

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Northfield Road
4

Enter roundabout onto SR 8

31 ft · 1 sec · Northfield Road
5

Continue on SR 8

2.7 mi · 5 min · Northfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn left onto SR 43

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Mueti Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 480 East, I 271 South: Youngstown
8

Merge onto I 480

1.7 mi · 2 min · Outerbelt South Freeway
9

Merge onto I 271; I 480

1.1 mi · 1 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

24 mi · 26 min · I 271
Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto I 71

43 mi · 46 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 176 Toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 30 West: Mansfield Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto US 30

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 130 Toward SR 13: Norwalk, Main Street
16

Turn left onto SR 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
17

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 13

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 40-minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility; you can depart whenever suits you best. There are no mandatory stops suggested, but you might consider a quick break around the halfway point, especially during the 43.1-mile stretch on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $13 estimated cost indicates a relatively low fuel consumption for this journey. Planning to leave mid-morning could help you avoid potential rush hour traffic as you leave the University Heights area.

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 41.7 miles from University Heights, OH, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 18 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.7 miles or 52m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mansfield, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving University Heights, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from University Heights, OH

This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from University Heights, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 43.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Medina County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Medina, OH

42 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

Macedonia, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westfield Center, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.7 miles from University Heights, 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 81.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Turn right onto CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
8.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 271

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
76.2 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield

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 176 Toward US 30: Wooster, Mansfield
7
76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West: Mansfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 30 West: Mansfield
6
81.6 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward SR 13: Norwalk, Main Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 130 Toward SR 13: Norwalk, Main Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.94 one way

$25.89 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $14.37 $28.73
premium $4.91 $16.12 $32.24
diesel $5.61 $18.41 $36.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25 0 $8.76 $4.00
Efficient EV 20.9 0 $7.30 $3.34
EV Truck/SUV 33.4 0 $11.68 $5.34

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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

University Heights, OH

Morning in University Heights on Sunday

Local time

7:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mansfield, OH

Morning in Mansfield on Sunday

Local time

7:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Medina, OH

42 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

17 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

1h 40m 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

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 20.1
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a significant 90% share of your journey on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.1 miles on I-71, offering a solid period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive characterized by smooth, often high-speed travel, minimizing local road detours. You'll likely find the character of the drive remains consistent, as you transition between major interstates and US highways.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.1 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 271. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road.

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 83.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m 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 43.1 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 Mansfield, 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 0.1 miles (CR 4 / Warrensville Center Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mansfield, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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