Day Heights, OH to Youngstown, OH is 267 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 98% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive. This is a good option if you're looking for a manageable day trip or a quick connection between these two areas without extensive planning.
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
133.5 miles from Day Heights, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
162.3 mi
2h 57m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
US 22
10 mi
14m
SR 132
6.7 mi
11m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
State Route 28
5.4 mi
9m
I 80
4 mi
4m
SR 380
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 122 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,984 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,739
Quietest
2 AM
~228 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Day Heights, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on Kent Drive
0.1 mi·29 sec·Kent Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Betty Lane
0.2 mi·39 sec·Betty Lane
3
Turn right onto SR 131
0.4 mi·44 sec·SR 131
4
Continue on SR 131
0.4 mi·39 sec·SR 131
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on SR 131
156 ft·10 sec·SR 131
6
Turn left onto Buckwheat Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Buckwheat Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto SR 28
5.4 mi·9 min·State Route 28
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto SR 132
6.7 mi·11 min·SR 132
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto SR 123
3.0 mi·5 min·SR 123
10
Turn right onto US 22; SR 3
10.0 mi·14 min·US 22; SR 3
11
Turn left onto SR 380
3.5 mi·6 min·SR 380
12
Turn left onto SR 73
0.2 mi·20 sec·State Route 73
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 71
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi·45 sec·I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, WheelingUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 101AToward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
28
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
29
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
30
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Youngstown with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is mostly highway, so the single recommended stop is a good opportunity for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 162.3-mile stretch on I 71, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. Your estimated fuel cost is around $41, so plan accordingly before you depart.
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 133.5 miles from Day Heights, OH, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 59 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 46m 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 22m
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 Day Heights, 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 Day Heights, OH
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Day Heights, 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 162.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 92.5 and 215.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
92.5 mi into trip|~2h in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
8
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
195.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
7
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
$43.66 one way
$87.31 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$48.97
$97.95
premium
$5.23
$54.99
$109.97
diesel
$6.28
$65.97
$131.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.04
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Day Heights, OH
Morning
in Day Heights on Thursday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Thursday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 18m 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 36.8
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 220.9
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 36.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 98% of the 267 miles on interstates like I 71 and I 76. You'll encounter a long stretch of 162.3 miles on I 71 before transitioning. Surface roads are minimal, appearing only in the final miles. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate between these major thoroughfares.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.3 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 92.5 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 267 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 92.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,285 ft778 ft
Total Climb
849 ft
Total Descent
869 ft
Highest Point
1,285 ft
~152.5 mi in
Elevation Range
507 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Day Heights, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Wheeling 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
•Arlington Avenue District — United States historic place
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.3 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 92.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Youngstown, OH before the return drive.
