Upper Arlington, OH to Parma, OH is 226.3 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I 71 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically within Ohio, making it a straightforward trip. It's a highway-focused journey, so expect consistent speed and minimal traffic delays. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient transfer between locations.
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
113.1 miles from Upper Arlington, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
I 675
24.7 mi
28m
Ridge Road
14.9 mi
24m
I 75
5.6 mi
6m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
I 271
3.3 mi
3m
North Verity Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,959 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Upper Arlington, OH and Parma, OH.
1
Start on Ardmore Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Ardmore Drive
2
Continue on Flemming Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Flemming Road
3
Turn right onto Shafor Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Shafor Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Nelbar Street
0.3 mi·30 sec·Nelbar Street
5
Continue on Germantown Road
351 ft·12 sec·Germantown Road
6
Turn right onto SR 73
3.1 mi·4 min·North Verity Parkway
7
Continue on SR 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Middletown Pike
8
Turn straight onto SR 73 Truck
0.7 mi·1 min·Riley Boulevard
9
Turn right onto SR 123
1.2 mi·2 min·East 6th Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 75 North: DaytonUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
5.6 mi·6 min·I 75
12
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 43Toward I 675 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 675
16 mi·18 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 675
9.0 mi·10 min·I 675
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 26AToward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
16
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi·1 min·I 70; SR 4
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 71
111 mi·2 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 271
3.3 mi·3 min·I 271
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 3Toward SR 94: Wadsworth, North RoyaltonUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto SR 94
15 mi·24 min·Ridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Snow Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Snow Road
27
Turn right onto West 54th Street
47 ft·1 sec·West 54th Street
28
Arrive at destination
West 54th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 24m duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 71 for a quick break or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 110.9-mile stretch on I 71, to avoid needing an unscheduled stop. The $35 fuel estimate suggests that filling up before you leave or at a strategically chosen station along the route will be sufficient.
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 113.1 miles from Upper Arlington, OH, or about 2h 11m 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 50 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.1 miles or 2h 11m 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 30m
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 Upper Arlington, 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 Upper Arlington, OH
This is one driving day of about 226.3 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Upper Arlington, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 210.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.2 mi into trip|~13m in
Turn left toward I 75 North: Dayton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Dayton
7
13.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 675 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward I 675 North: Columbus
7
91 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
8
210.4 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
$34.77 one way
$69.55 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.22
$78.44
premium
$4.99
$44.43
$88.86
diesel
$4.80
$42.73
$85.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 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
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
EV Truck/SUV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Upper Arlington, OH
Evening
in Upper Arlington on Sunday
Local time
8:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 13 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:50PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:48PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Parma, OH
Evening
in Parma on Sunday
Local time
8:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:50PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:48PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 24m 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.
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 31.2
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 218.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I 71, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 110.9 miles. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate these well-maintained highways. While the profile is largely predictable, the route does involve a transition from I 70 to I 675 before merging back onto I 71, offering a slight variation in the interstate landscape.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
9/10
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 7.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 226.3 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 7.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,276 ft702 ft
Total Climb
1,127 ft
Total Descent
966 ft
Highest Point
1,276 ft
~161.6 mi in
Elevation Range
574 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Arlington, OH and Parma, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Royalton.
Cleveland
95.4 mi in|~1h 52m|via North Innerbelt
Royalton
210.4 mi in|~3h 57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m 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 30 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Parma, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
