If you are planning a trip from Wetherington to Akron, you are looking at a 216.8-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of behind-the-wheel time. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. You should budget about $32 for fuel to complete the trek. While the route is straightforward, it is best approached as a local navigation challenge rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
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
109.2 miles from Wetherington, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
177.3 mi
3h 13m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
SR 741
2.2 mi
4m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Mason Road
1.9 mi
3m
Liberty Way
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wetherington, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on Shaker Run Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·Shaker Run Lane
2
Turn left onto Saint Ives Place
0.3 mi·1 min·Saint Ives Place
3
Turn right onto Harbour Town Drive
0.2 mi·28 sec·Harbour Town Drive
4
Turn left onto Harbour Town Drive
214 ft·16 sec·Harbour Town Drive
5
At end of road, turn right onto Liberty Way
1.9 mi·3 min·Liberty Way
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Mason Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Mason Road
Use the left lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
114 ft·2 sec·Mason Road
8
Continue on Mason Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Mason Road
Use the left lane.
9
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
22 ft·0 sec·Mason Road
10
Continue on Mason Road
0.4 mi·48 sec·Mason Road
11
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 42
1.6 mi·2 min·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto SR 741
2.2 mi·4 min·SR 741
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 71
6.6 mi·7 min·I 71
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
18
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
22
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Innerbelt
Exit 21CToward SR 59 East: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
34
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
35
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
36
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Since this 3.5-hour drive involves navigating local roads, it is wise to plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset. Aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local streets that make up your primary route. Because you are avoiding highways, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the various turns on Saint Ives Place and Liberty Way accurately. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, as the lack of highway miles allows you to adjust your pace easily. Remember to set aside the $32 fuel budget before you head out to ensure a stress-free arrival in 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 109.2 miles from Wetherington, OH, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 48 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 31m
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 Wetherington, 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 Wetherington, OH
This is one driving day of about 218.3 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Wetherington, 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 177.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 109.2 miles from Wetherington, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.
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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.4 and 215.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
15.4 mi into trip|~24m 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
93 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
194.3 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m 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
$33.88 one way
$67.76 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$37.60
$75.20
premium
$4.91
$42.19
$84.38
diesel
$5.61
$48.20
$96.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Efficient EV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
EV Truck/SUV
87.3
1
$30.56
$13.97
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Wetherington, OH
Morning
in Wetherington on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 14 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 5:16PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 4:58PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Akron, OH
Morning
in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 5:16PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 4:58PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
2 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 18m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 37.6
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 218.3
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 30.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various neighborhoods and junctions. You will spend no time on major highways, as the route relies entirely on local roads like Saint Ives Place, Harbour Town Drive, and Liberty Way. Because of this configuration, the road lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, keeping you engaged with frequent turns throughout the 216.8-mile distance. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience compared to a standard interstate commute, as the character of the road demands constant focus on the path ahead.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.3 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 15.4 miles in.
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 30 significant decision points across 218.3 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 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wetherington, OH and Akron, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon and Wheeling.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 218.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.3 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
