Spurs, Bypasses and Beltways: Ohio for Akron, Cincinnati and Cleveland

English: Blue Hen Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ohio has twelve auxiliary highways divided among five interstates. In Akron Interstate 76 joins Interstate 77 for their journey together through the city. Before those two highways join, Interstate 277 leaves I-77 south of Akron from Exit 122 and travels west to join I-76 at Exit 18. Those drivers who wish to avoid any traffic in Akron can use the four miles of I-277 as an alternate route. In Cincinnati the 84 miles of Interstate 275 provide the beltway for the city. This interstate also travels to Kentucky and Indiana. The eastern side of the beltway is shorter; however, taking I-74, I-75 or I-71 during slow traffic times provides the faster route. Also in Cincinnati is Interstate 471 which uses its six miles to join I-71 to I-275. After leaving I-71 this highway crosses the Ohio River and travels into Kentucky.

Cleveland has three major highways traveling in a north-south direction. On the western side of the city is I-71. To the east of that road is I-77 which runs down the center of the city. East of those two highways is Interstate 271. The 40 miles of I-271 connect I-71 in Medina with I-90 in Willoughby. This interstate has a special feature for those driving through the area who do not wish to use any exit. Express lanes are the left lanes of each side as the highway travels through Cleveland. Drivers who utilize these lanes do not have to be bothered with the many vehicles coming on the road. Interstate 480 provides an east-west route along the southern part of Cleveland and its suburbs. Beginning at I-80, which is the Ohio Turnpike near Streetsboro, I-480 travels 42 miles and ends at I-80 which is the Ohio Turnpike near North Ridgeville.