How far is Van Wert, OH from Akron, OH?

The driving distance from Van Wert, OH to Akron, OH is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.27 mi
02h 45m
Flight
160.55 mi
258.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Van Wert.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
160.55 mi
Kilometers
258.38 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.27 mi
Kilometers
286.9 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Akron
Tue, May 12, 10:47 PM EDT
Return by in Van Wert
Wed, May 13, 1:32 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Van Wert
2026-05-12T20:02
Arrive Akron
Tue, May 12, 10:47 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Van Wert
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bucyrus
OH

City in Ohio

From Van Wert
89 mi
01h 22m
To Akron
89.2 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
64°F
Tuesday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Van Wert and Akron.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Van Wert and Akron.

  1. 1

    Start on South Jefferson Street

    14 m · 6 sec · South Jefferson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Wayne Street

    157 m · 19 sec · North Wayne Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Lincoln Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Highway

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    72.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    46.4 mi · 52 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North: Cleveland

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    31.9 mi · 34 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 76, US 224 East: Akron

    1.5 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 20 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Kenmore Expressway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Kenmore Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Akron

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Innerbelt

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Innerbelt

  15. 15

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    124 m · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Center Street

    140 m · 20 sec · West Center Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Bowery Street

    1230 ft · 34 sec · West Bowery Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Bowery Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Van Wert and Akron.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
121 mi · 68%
I 71 North
32.7 mi · 18%
I 76
18.3 mi · 10%
Innerbelt
2.12 mi · 1%
Kenmore Expressway
1.89 mi · 1%
I 76 East
1.24 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Take the ramp right

72.1 mi · 01h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.7 mi
160.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bucyrus
01h 22m from Van Wert
Leave By
1:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Van Wert and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Akron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Van Wert to Akron?

The road trip is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km) and usually takes 02h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bucyrus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Van Wert and 89.2 miles from Akron.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.30 one way or $46.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Van Wert and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Akron.

Stop Ideas Near Bucyrus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bucyrus, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bucyrus.

RAIL

Sandusky

74 mi away
1200 North Depot St.
BUS

Columbus, OH

94 mi away
111 East Town Street
RAIL

Elyria

97 mi away
410 East River Road
RAIL

Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza

104 mi away
415 Emerald Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Van Wert and Akron. Straight-line distance: 160.55 mi (258.38 km).

Van Wert

#1 Van Wert

City in Ohio

Population10,614
Coordinates40.8694900, -84.5841200
Altitude237
CountryUnited States
Akron

#2 Akron

The fifth most populous city in Ohio.

Population195,994
Coordinates41.0814400, -81.5190100
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: South Jefferson Street (-84.584233, 40.869489)
End: West Bowery Street (-81.519083, 41.081257)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.29 gal
23.81 L · about $23.30
Round trip
$46.61
12.58 gal · 47.62 L
Estimated CO2
55.9 kg one way
Round trip: 111.8 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $23.30 $46.61
Mid-grade $4.24 $26.68 $53.36
Premium $4.79 $30.13 $60.26
Diesel $4.30 $27.07 $54.14

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Ohio · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Van Wert and Akron. The current time is 20:02:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.