How long does it take to drive from Akron, Ohio to Falmouth, Massachusetts?
If you're planning on driving from Akron, Ohio to Falmouth, Massachusetts, you're probably wondering how long the journey will take. There are several different routes you can take, each with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of distance, traffic, and scenery. Here's a closer look at some of the fastest and slowest options, along with estimated driving times based on traffic:
The fastest route (without traffic)
If you're in a hurry to get from Akron to Falmouth, the fastest route is undoubtedly taking I-80 East until you reach I-84 East in Scranton, PA. You'll then take I-84 until you reach the Mass Pike (I-90) just outside of Worcester, MA. From there, follow I-90 East until you reach Route 495 South towards Cape Cod. Along this route, you'll be treated to beautiful vistas of the Appalachian Mountains and the lush forests and small towns of New England.
At an average speed of 65 miles per hour and with no traffic, this route should take around 11 hours. However, be warned that this route takes you through some urban areas, so traffic can get pretty heavy during rush hours.
The scenic route (with potential traffic)
If you're more interested in seeing some scenery during your drive, you might want to consider taking the I-90 route - which is slightly longer - through Buffalo, NY, Syracuse, NY, and the Berkshires. Between the rolling hills of upstate New York and the stunning mountain ranges of Massachusetts, there's plenty to see along the way.
However, keep in mind that this route can be much slower and more congested than the more direct route via I-80 and I-84. Expect to take an extra hour or two to reach Falmouth, especially during peak travel times.
The middle ground
If you're looking for a happy medium between speed and scenery, consider taking I-80 to I-81, passing through Harrisburg, into I-78 East heading towards New York City and I-684, which will take you across the Hudson River into Connecticut. From there, pick up I-91 North to Route 9 East to connect with I-95 South, which bypasses Boston. This route will net you some great views of the Hudson River and the Connecticut coast.
At around 12-13 hours without traffic, this route can still provide some breathtaking scenery and has the advantage of avoiding the Boston traffic, but still takes a bit longer.
Traffic considerations
Of course, no matter which route you choose, traffic can be a wild card that can significantly impact your travel time. During peak hours, expect to add an extra hour or two, and don't forget about accidents, roadwork, and other unexpected delays that can pop up.
To get an idea of the expected travel times, we used the Google Maps traffic feature to estimate peak and low traffic times. Here are the results:
- I-80 and I-84 route: 11 hours (low traffic) to 13 hours (peak traffic)
- Scenic route through upstate New York and the Berkshires: 12 hours (low traffic) to 15 hours (peak traffic)
- I-80 to I-81 to I-78 to I-684 to I-95 route: 12.5 hours (low traffic) to 14.5 hours (peak traffic)
No matter which route you choose, there's plenty to see and explore along the way. With a little planning and some flexibility, your drive from Akron to Falmouth can be a fun and interesting journey.