Getting Around Northeast Ohio

Transportation and connectivity depend heavily on access to a personal vehicle

Northeast Ohio’s transportation network reflects its vast, varied terrain and historical development patterns. While the region does offer an extensive road system that connects its cities, towns, and rural areas, getting around efficiently often hinges on having access to a personal vehicle. This car-centric approach has shaped our infrastructure for decades, influencing everything from urban planning to daily commutes.

However, the transportation picture in Northeast Ohio isn’t solely about automobiles. Public transit options, albeit limited, exist in major urban centers. Ridesharing services have gained popularity, and there’s a growing interest in alternative modes of transportation like biking and walking. For longer trips, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Akron-Canton Airport connect the northeast Ohio region to domestic and international destinations.

For visitors and residents alike, understanding the full spectrum of transportation options is key to navigating this diverse region effectively.

Driving in northeast Ohio

Owning a car in Northeast Ohio offers significant advantages. The flexibility it provides is unmatched, allowing you to easily access destinations in suburban and rural areas that aren’t well-served by public transit. You’re not bound by bus or train schedules, giving you the convenience to travel whenever you need or want to. This freedom often translates to time savings, as driving is frequently faster than public transportation for many trips in the region. These factors make car ownership a practical choice for many in northeast Ohio, despite the associated costs and responsibilities.

Is Ohio a good place to buy a used car?

The cost of buying a car in northeast Ohio is notable, but relatively favorable. The site bankrate.com says, “Ohio is the place to be for inexpensive used cars.” As of late 2023, used cars in the Cleveland-Akron area averaged $31,458, about 8% below the national average and the lowest in the U.S. However, iSeeCars.com reports a significant decrease in affordable vehicle inventory in northeast Ohio, with options under $20,000 dropping from 58% in 2019 to just 16% in 2023—a 70% decrease. These figures highlight the changing landscape of car affordability in the region.

How much does car maintenance cost in Ohio?

According to nasdaq.com, car ownership in Ohio as of 2024 is relatively affordable compared to other states. The total annual cost of owning a vehicle in Ohio averages $24,998. This breaks down to about $2,054 for gas, with prices averaging $2.82 per gallon, and $1,023 for insurance—one of the lowest rates nationwide. Car repair costs are also on the lower end, averaging around $350 per year. These figures suggest that while car ownership is a significant expense, Ohio’s relatively low costs for gas, insurance, and repairs make it more manageable than in many other parts of the country.

What are the major highways and interstates in northeast Ohio?

The region is crisscrossed by several major highways and interstates, making it relatively easy to navigate between cities and neighboring states:

  • I-71: Connects Cleveland to Columbus and Cincinnati
  • I-77: Runs north-south, linking Cleveland, Akron, and Canton
  • I-80 (Ohio Turnpike): East-west route across northern Ohio
  • I-90: Spans the northern edge of the state, connecting major cities along Lake Erie

State routes like SR-2, SR-8, and SR-11 also play crucial roles in connecting smaller towns and rural areas.

How does vehicle-centric transportation affect life in northeast Ohio?

While northeast Ohio’s car dependency presents some challenges, the region fares better than many major metropolitan areas in terms of traffic congestion. According to Crain’s Cleveland Business, northeast Ohio’s largest city, Cleveland, ranked 52nd out of 80 U.S. cities for traffic congestion and 239th globally out of 404 cities. In 2022, Cleveland drivers lost an average of 30 hours to traffic congestion, a significant improvement from 46 hours in 2019. This translates to an average cost of $452 per driver due to congestion-related expenses.

Unfortunately, the region’s focus on car infrastructure does mean we have fewer pedestrian-friendly features, and public transit development has often taken a backseat to road expansion. This car dependency creates a disadvantage for those in northeast Ohio without vehicles and impacts community design.

And then there’s winter driving, which can be problematic due to the our proximity to Lake Erie. The lake effect snow can create sudden, severe weather conditions, especially in counties bordering the lake. Heavy snowfall, icy roads, and reduced visibility are common hazards from late fall through early spring. Plus, the frequent freezing and thawing cycles contribute to road deterioration and lots of potholes that can damage vehicles and create hazardous driving conditions, and the necessary but heavy use of road salt speeds up vehicle rust.

Public transportation in northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio’s public transit system, while not as extensive as those in larger metropolitan areas, does offer some notable services:

Cleveland’s transit system stands out, ranking in the top 20 of all U.S. metropolitan areas for service frequency in both the city and suburbs. The region also has a history of transit innovation, with Cleveland being the first U.S. city to connect its airport to direct rapid transit service.

However, according to a 2015 community development report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, job accessibility via public transit remains a significant challenge. The Cleveland metro area experienced the largest drop (27%) in the number of jobs near the average resident from 2000 to 2012 among the 96 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. This issue is particularly acute for low-skill and low-wage workers, who often have the greatest need for public transportation but face the most difficulties accessing jobs via transit.

The study also found jobs requiring only a high school degree or equivalent are the least accessible across all population groups. This mismatch between transit accessibility and job locations poses considerable obstacles for economic mobility and opportunity in the region, especially for minority and low-income populations who are more likely to rely on public transportation for commuting.

Alternative transportation options in northeast Ohio

In addition to personal vehicles and public transit, Northeast Ohio offers several alternative transportation options:

  1. Gohio Commute. This free service offers a comprehensive ride planning and matching platform for Ohio residents, workers, and students in major metro areas. This interactive tool helps users plan trips, find carpools or vanpools, and explore public transit, biking, and walking routes.
  2. Ride-hailing services. Northeast Ohio offers many taxicab companies and Uber / Lyft drivers for on-demand ride services.
  3. Community mobility management. Local agencies provide transportation assistance for seniors and disabled individuals, often offering free or reduced fares for essential trips like medical appointments and shopping. Medicaid-eligible individuals can access Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for healthcare services. These programs help assess transportation needs and connect users with appropriate community options, sometimes coordinating multiple services to improve accessibility.
  4. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. While the region has developed multi-purpose trails in parks, many urban attractions still lack adequate access for cyclists and pedestrians. Organizations like the Ohio Bicycle Federation, Bike Cleveland, and the many riding clubs in northeast Ohio are working hard to raise awareness, improve biking conditions, and connect people in the region who love to bike.

While these alternatives provide some flexibility, they can be less convenient than personal vehicles for daily use. Efforts to expand bike-friendly infrastructure and discussions about potential high-speed rail connections hint at a future with more diverse transportation options, but for now, having a car remains the most practical way to get around northeast Ohio.

Table of Contents

Public Transportation
Alternative Transportation