Connecting Xenia to Akron, this 188.2-mile journey takes you across the Ohio heartland in approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes. Because it is a straightforward trip, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel, making this an economical option for travel within the Midwest. You will rely primarily on I-71, I-70, and I-76 to navigate between these two points. It is a practical route for those prioritizing efficiency and speed over backroads, serving as a reliable link between the regions of Ohio.
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
94.1 miles from Xenia, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
43.2 mi
46m
I 76
18.4 mi
22m
US 68
11.9 mi
13m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
North Detroit Street
3.8 mi
4m
Innerbelt
2.1 mi
2m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Xenia, OH and Akron, OH.
1
Start on US 42; US 35 Business
92 ft·10 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 68
3.8 mi·4 min·North Detroit Street
3
Keep slight right at fork
97 ft·1 sec
4
Merge onto US 68
12 mi·13 min·US 68
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 70
43 mi·46 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on SR 59
406 ft·13 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
19
Turn right onto West Center Street
459 ft·19 sec·West Center Street
20
Turn left onto West Bowery Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Bowery Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Bowery Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3.5-hour duration and keep your focus sharp. Given the $28 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your vehicle's range before you leave Xenia to ensure you can reach your destination comfortably. Because you are spending almost the entire trip on interstates, monitor traffic reports on I-71 and I-76 before heading out to bypass any potential congestion. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will make the transition between the highway stretches feel much more manageable.
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 94.1 miles from Xenia, OH, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 41 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.1 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
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 Xenia, 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 Xenia, OH
This is one driving day of about 188.2 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Xenia, 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 99.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 59.5 and 185.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m 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
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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
164.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
185.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
$29.21 one way
$58.42 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$32.42
$64.83
premium
$4.91
$36.37
$72.75
diesel
$5.61
$41.55
$83.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.5
0
$19.76
$9.03
Efficient EV
47.1
0
$16.47
$7.53
EV Truck/SUV
75.3
0
$26.35
$12.04
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Xenia, OH
Late night
in Xenia on Sunday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Akron, OH
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Ashley, OH
94 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
14 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
3h 31m 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.
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 6.5
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 188.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 95% of your travel takes place on major interstates. The route is defined by a highway-focused profile, providing a consistent pace that keeps you moving toward your destination. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.5 miles while navigating I-71, which allows for steady cruising. Because the vast majority of the drive is on controlled-access highways, you can anticipate a streamlined and predictable time behind the wheel. The road transitions smoothly between the interstates, ensuring you remain on high-speed thoroughfares for nearly the entire duration of the trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 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 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.5 miles in near I 670.
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 18 significant decision points across 188.2 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 59.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.2 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.
On the drive from Xenia, OH to Akron, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
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 3h 31m. Total distance: 188.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.5 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 59.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.2 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, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Akron, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
