Waverly, OH to Cleveland, OH is 205 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 71 and US 23, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Ohio, and is a straightforward drive. Given its duration and profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it an efficient option for reaching your destination.
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
102.5 miles from Waverly, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
140.7 mi
2h 35m
US 23
34.5 mi
44m
West Emmitt Avenue
16.7 mi
23m
South Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
South High Street
2.6 mi
3m
South Innerbelt
1.3 mi
1m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
1.3 mi
1m
Innerbelt
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 140.7 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 194 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,298 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,798
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.3×
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 Waverly, OH and Cleveland, OH.
1
Start on US 23; SR 104
17 mi·23 min·West Emmitt Avenue
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
34 mi·44 min·US 23
Toward US 23 North: ColumbusUse the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 23
2.6 mi·3 min·South High Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 270: Columbus, Wheeling
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 55Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 71
3.6 mi·4 min·South Freeway
10
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
112 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
28 mi·31 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 90
0.9 mi·1 min·Innerbelt
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 171Toward US 422, SR 14: Orange Avenue, Ontario StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 422 West, SR 14 West: Ontario StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.7 mi·1 min·Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; US 20
232 ft·10 sec·South Roadway
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 6; US 20
0.1 mi·28 sec·East Roadway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 20
513 ft·20 sec·Rockwell Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Frankfort Avenue
186 ft·6 sec·Frankfort Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Frankfort Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With only one recommended stop and a primarily highway profile, you can be flexible with your timing. The estimated fuel cost is $31, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye out for the transition from the faster I 71 to US 23, as this change in road type might affect your travel time slightly. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure based on traffic or weather conditions.
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 102.5 miles from Waverly, OH, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.7 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waverly, 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 Waverly, OH
This is one driving day of about 205 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Waverly, 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 140.7 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 16.7 and 203.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.7 mi into trip|~23m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
8
56.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
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 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
203.5 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 422, SR 14: Orange Avenue, Ontario Street
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 171
Toward US 422, SR 14: Orange Avenue, Ontario St...
9
203.8 mi into trip|~4h in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 422 West, SR 14 West: Ontario Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 422 West, SR 14 West: Ontario Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.50 one way
$63.00 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.53
$71.06
premium
$4.99
$40.25
$80.50
diesel
$4.80
$38.71
$77.42
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: 71.7 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
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.94
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
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
Waverly, OH
Morning
in Waverly on Monday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 6 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
Cleveland, OH
Morning
in Cleveland on Monday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 8 to 13 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM 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 3m 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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 14.1
Park Closure: Mound City Visitor Center Closed July 16 - July 18
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 183.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 88% highway, meaning you'll primarily be on limited-access roads for the bulk of your trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 140.7 miles on I 71. Expect a relatively consistent driving experience with fewer interruptions from surface streets for a significant portion of the drive. You'll transition from I 71 to US 23 and then West Emmitt Avenue, where the highway percentage decreases.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.7 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 miles in near US 23.
Driving Effort10/10
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 205 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 16.7 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,225 ft584 ft
Total Climb
889 ft
Total Descent
819 ft
Highest Point
1,225 ft
~102.5 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waverly, OH and Cleveland, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling and Columbus.
Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
Top landmarks
•Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — music museum in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
•Cleveland Museum of Art — art museum in Cleveland, Ohio
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 205 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Cleveland, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Cleveland, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
