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Trip from Bradford, OH to Youngstown, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

241.5 mi

389 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 41m ★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bradford, OH, OH

Bradford, OH

Israyosoy S.

Trip Overview

This 241.5-mile drive from Bradford to Youngstown, Ohio, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 54 minutes. Predominantly a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 73% of your time on major interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Ohio cities without needing an overnight stop. The drive is primarily about covering distance effectively.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

120.7 miles from Bradford, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 78.1 mi 1h 23m
I 76 57.6 mi 1h 6m
East Ash Street 26.2 mi 36m
Delaware Avenue 14.4 mi 16m
US 36 13.9 mi 20m
Scioto Street 10.7 mi 16m
SR 4 9.6 mi 10m
I 680 5.9 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bradford, OH and Youngstown, OH.

1

Start on East Main Street

34 ft · 9 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto SR 721

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Miami Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 36

9.9 mi · 14 min · US 36
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 36

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South College Street
5

Turn right onto US 36

0.6 mi · 56 sec · West Water Street
6

Turn left onto US 36

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Spring Street
7

Turn right onto US 36

26 mi · 36 min · East Ash Street
8

Enter roundabout onto US 36; SR 29

97 ft · 1 sec · Scioto Street
9

Continue on US 36; SR 29

1.2 mi · 2 min · Scioto Street
10

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 29

9.5 mi · 14 min · Scioto Street
11

Continue on SR 29; SR 559

0.3 mi · 29 sec · North Main Street
12

Turn left onto SR 4

5.4 mi · 7 min · East Sandusky Street
13

Turn slight left onto SR 4

9.6 mi · 10 min · SR 4
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 4

3.7 mi · 4 min · US 36; SR 4
15

Take the exit onto US 36

0.3 mi · 36 sec · US 36
Exit 93 Toward US 36 East: Delaware Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn left onto US 36

14 mi · 16 min · Delaware Avenue
17

Continue on US 36

2.4 mi · 2 min · West William Street
18

Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Road
19

Continue on US 36; SR 37

5.9 mi · 8 min · State Route 37 East
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
21

Merge onto I 71

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 209A Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Merge onto I 76; US 224

17 mi · 20 min · I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.9 mi · 2 min · Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77

39 mi · 43 min · I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 80

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 80
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 680

5.9 mi · 8 min · I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 39 sec
31

Turn sharp left onto Market Street

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Market Street
32

Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square

124 ft · 2 sec · Central Square
33

Arrive at destination

Central Square

Trip Plan

Given this is a 4-hour and 54-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to reach Youngstown with ample time to spare. With only one stop recommended, plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 78.1 miles on I-71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $37 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected detours or traffic.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.7 miles from Bradford, OH, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 53 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 120.7 miles or 2h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bradford, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bradford, OH

This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Bradford, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 78.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Morrow County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cardington, OH

121 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Cardington, OH to Youngstown, OH

139.9 mi · 2h 44m

Pacing Suggestions

De Graff, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.7 miles from Bradford, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 67.9 and 190.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
67.9 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | US 36

Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Delaware

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 93 Toward US 36 East: Delaware
8
170.1 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

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

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
170.3 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209A Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
6
188.4 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | I 76 / Kenmore Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
7
190.3 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in | I 76

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Akron

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.48 one way

$74.96 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $41.60 $83.19
premium $4.91 $46.67 $93.35
diesel $5.61 $53.32 $106.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.5 0 $25.36 $11.59
Efficient EV 60.4 0 $21.13 $9.66
EV Truck/SUV 96.6 1 $33.81 $15.46

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Bradford, OH

Afternoon in Bradford on Sunday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Youngstown, OH

Afternoon in Youngstown on Sunday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 6 to 15 mph 80% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

28 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 54m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 241.5-mile trip, with 73% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 78.1 miles on I-71, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The road character is largely defined by these high-speed corridors, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours. While the exact transitions aren't detailed, anticipate a predominantly interstate experience connecting you from point A to point B.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.1 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.9 miles in near US 36.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 241.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 67.9 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Bradford, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.

Akron

170.1 mi in | ~3h 29m

About the Cities

Arriving in Youngstown, OH

Full guide →

Youngstown is a city of 60,000 people (2020) in Northeast Ohio and is the county seat of Mahoning County. For Youngstown, it was all about coal and steel, until deindustrialization occurred in the second half of the 20th century.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.1 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Youngstown, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 67.9 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Youngstown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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