Best Road Trips From Cleveland

🚗 210 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 20 minutes

Niagara Falls and the town of Niagara are beautiful destinations that make the perfect road trip from Cleveland to witness a bucket list-worthy natural phenomenon.

The scenic lakeside drive to Niagara Falls is full of amazing places to discover, such as Headlands Beach State Park, Erie and Buffalo.

🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 10 minutes

Set on the confluence of three major rivers, Pittsburgh offers scenic water views over its many bridges (many more than any other city in the world!) and a fun atmosphere for sports fans and foodies.

This road trip to Pittsburgh is the perfect short weekend adventure. En route, we recommend also visiting Akron and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours

Washington DC is home to many iconic attractions for fans of American and military history, such as the National Mall and the White House, as well as other museums and collections.

On the way, take some extra time to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park, make a detour to Pittsburg, and see many state parks en route, such as Seneca Creek State Park.

🚗 290 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes

Toronto is known for being a colorful and multicultural city. The city also offers endless options for delicious cuisines, sports events, and a colorful art and entertainment scene.

Before you cross the border into Canada, you can visit beautiful Erie, Buffalo and the magical Niagara Falls and then Hamilton once in Canada.

🚗 450 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 30 minutes

Philadelphia has a lot to offer with history, culture, and scenery, as well as tons of popular attractions centered around early 18th-century American history and Revolutionary War history.

There are many amazing places on this road trip; check out Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the chocolate wonderland of Hershey and Amish Country in Lancaster.

🚗 520 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 50 minutes

Nashville is a great destination for those wanting a road trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city. “The Music City” has amazing nightlife, live music at every turn, and great Southern food.

This drive is the urban adventurer's dream, with Columbus, Cincinnati, and Louisville located directly en route.

🚗 525 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 10 minutes

Chicago, located on Lake Michigan's shores, has a rare mix of old and new that makes for a fun weekend trip to try out its famous food, namely the deep-dish pizza, see the Magnificent Mile.

Extend your drive to Chicago by visiting Toledo, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and then beautiful Beton Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan.

🚗 350 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 10 minutes

All bourbon fans will love this trip through the heart of Kentucky to find rare and small-batch bourbons and soak in the stunning mountain scenery. Louisville is also home to the famous Churchill Downs.

If you have some time on your hands, you can also visit the cute small town of Medina, Mansfield, Columbus and Cincinnati en route.

🚗 85 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Visit Put-In-Bay for a fun island getaway on Lake Erie. Here, you can enjoy water sports and lively entertainment and sample the local island wineries, and even extend your visit to see Kelleys Island.

On your way to Put-in-Bay, make sure to check out Sheldon Marsh Nature Reserve, Sandusky, and Marblehead Lighthouse.

🚗 140 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Columbus is the capital city and largest city in the state. Here you can expand your taste in city life with new museums, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife.

As you make your way to the capital on this road trip, you can add Medina and Buckeye Imagination Museum and Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield to your itinerary.

🚗 170 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Detroit is full of local gems and off-the-beaten path treasures. New development and a young entrepreneurial and artistic crowd are rejuvenating the city back into a lively and energetic hub of creative spirit.

The drive to Detroit is relatively short, so you can extend your road trip to cover a weekend and visit Sandusky, Marblehead and Toledo on the way.

🚗 110 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Enjoy a day in the sunshine in Erie and soak in the sites on Presque Isle State Park, an island in Lake Erie with beaches, a lighthouse, and it is also great for camping.

A few of the amazing places you can add to your itinerary en route include James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Paine Falls Park and Conneaut Harbor.

🚗 220 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 40 minutes

Discover the natural beauty of Hocking Hills State Park and explore stunning caves, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Perfect for a weekend of camping, photography, and reconnecting with nature.

You can also visit the Buckeye Imagination Museum in Mansfield, Columbus, and Chillicothe on this route from Cleveland.

🚗 105 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Escape to Mount Vernon, a small and quaint little town along the riverside for shopping, eating, and some natural solitude. This little town offers a lot of cultural flare and warm hospitality.

If you'd like to extend this relative short drive to Mount Vernon, you can make a detour to the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

🚗 40 miles ⏱️ 55 minutes

Akron is a short drive from Cleveland and this colorful city is home to the Akron Art Museum and is a stone's throw from the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

It goes without saying that no visit to Akron is complete without spending some time in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

🚗 85 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes

Step back in time to Amish Country. Experience the simplicity of Amish life, explore quaint shops, savor homemade foods, and take a buggy ride through the rolling hills of Millersburg and Berlin.

On your way to Amish Country, take a scenic breather in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and enjoy a detour to Akron if you have some time.

🚗 160 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania's only national forest and is home to the scenic beauty of the area and surrounding Appalachian Mountains. Don't miss the Kinzua Sky Walk.

On this back-to-nature road trip, we recommend spending some time at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Youngstown.

🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 50 minutes

Home to America's first Amish settlements, Lancaster County is a great cultural destination where you can go back in time and enjoy a peaceful slow-paced visit and learn about Amish heritage.

If you don't want to fully give up on the urban lifestyle, not to worry - Pittsburgh and Harrisburg are short detours from this route.

🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes

Grand Rapids is an affordable destination for great food and attractions and is often voted America's Best River Town. Explore the Grand Rapids Art Museum and enjoy the city's renowned craft breweries.

A few of the great places to discover en route are Edison's Birthplace Museum in Milan, Toledo, Ann Arbor and Lansing.

🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours

Visit Syracuse for a taste of New York State's rich history and natural beauty. Close by, the Finger Lakes region is renowned for its scenic beauty, quaint towns, and winemaking.

Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Erie to your left on this drive and make stops at Erie, Buffalo, and Geneva on the shores of the beautiful Seneca Lake.

🚗 40 miles ⏱️ 45 minutes

Discover Vermillion, a charming lakeside town. Enjoy its boutique shops, and local eateries. Perfect for a leisurely day trip with stunning sunset views over the water.

You can spend more time on this road trip by making short detours to Lorain Harbor Lighthouse and Mill Hollow Bacon Woods Park.

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Hudson is a cute small town, where you can stroll through its beautifully preserved downtown, visit local boutiques, and dine at upscale restaurants. Don't miss the scenic Hudson Springs Park.

On your way to this charming town, we highly recommend sparing some time to enjoy Brandywine Gorge Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Medina's historic square is known for its Victorian architecture and community events. Enjoy antique shops, local dining, and the annual ice festival; a perfect getaway for history buffs and families.

If you want a longer day trip, you can spend some time at Big Creek Reservation and Mill Stream Run Reservation on your way to Medina.