Coldwater, OH to Youngstown, OH is 246.2 miles and takes about 4h 43m via US 30 and I-76/I-71, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
123.1 miles from Coldwater, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
83.1 mi
1h 31m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
I 75
24.5 mi
26m
US 33
12.6 mi
13m
East Market Street
9 mi
10m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
US 127
4.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-76
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,399 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coldwater, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on SR 219
3.0 mi·5 min·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 127
4.7 mi·6 min·US 127
3
Turn right onto SR 29; SR 703
9.0 mi·10 min·East Market Street
4
Continue on US 33
13 mi·13 min·US 33
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 38BToward I 75 North: Toledo
6
Merge onto I 75
24 mi·26 min·I 75
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward SR 696: Delphos, Upper Sandusky
8
Turn right onto SR 696
4.2 mi·7 min·East Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CR 15 / TR 15
0.5 mi·52 sec·County Road 15 / Hancock Road
10
Turn left onto US 30
37 mi·39 min·US 30
11
Take the exit onto US 30
46 mi·51 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
13
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
23
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
25
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 4 hour 43 minute drive time, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Youngstown without feeling rushed. While this route can easily be completed in a single day, consider that you'll have about 83.1 miles on US 30 before hitting the interstate system. Be mindful of fuel stops, especially before long highway stretches, to stay within your estimated $46 budget. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed.
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 123.1 miles from Coldwater, OH, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.1 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
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 Coldwater, 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 Coldwater, OH
This is one driving day of about 246.2 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Coldwater, 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 US 30 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 174.8 and 196.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
175.1 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
193.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
195 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
6
196.3 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|I 76; I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.83 one way
$75.66 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$42.67
$85.34
premium
$4.99
$48.34
$96.68
diesel
$4.80
$46.49
$92.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.54
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Coldwater, OH
Morning
in Coldwater on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 to 7 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM EDT until July 18 at 3:30AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:49PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
S 0 to 5 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM EDT until July 18 at 3:30AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:49PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 43m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 195.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 92% of this drive on highways, which means mostly uninterrupted cruising. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 83.1 miles on US 30. Expect a substantial amount of highway time before transitioning to surface roads for the remainder of your trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 174.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 246.2 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 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,328 ft841 ft
Total Climb
760 ft
Total Descent
814 ft
Highest Point
1,328 ft
~140.7 mi in
Elevation Range
486 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coldwater, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Upper Sandusky and Akron.
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.
Top landmarks
•Butler Institute of American Art — museum in Youngstown, Ohio
•Idora Park — amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio
•Youngstown station — former train station in Youngstown, Ohio, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 246.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Youngstown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
