Dent, OH to Youngstown, OH is 289 miles and takes about 5h 35m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Ohio on major interstate highways. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip for a single day of driving. You can expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B 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
144.5 miles from Dent, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
170.6 mi
3h 6m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
Circle Freeway
19.8 mi
22m
Northeast Expressway
14.2 mi
16m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
SR 350
4.3 mi
8m
I 80
4 mi
4m
Middleboro Road
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 79 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,087 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,731
Quietest
2 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
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 Dent, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on Harrison Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrison Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 74 West, US 52 West
3
Merge onto I 74; US 52
1.4 mi·1 min·Northwest Expressway
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 9Toward I 275 North: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
2.2 mi·2 min·Circle Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
18 mi·20 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 49Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 71 North: ColumbusUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
14 mi·16 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft·12 sec·SR 123
12
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi·8 min·SR 350
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi·4 min·Middleboro Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft·10 sec·Wilmington Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
16
Merge onto I 71
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
30
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
32
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 6 hours, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The route has only one recommended stop, suggesting you can push through with minimal breaks if desired. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without services is over 170 miles on I 71. Budgeting around $44 for fuel should cover your needs for this 289-mile trip.
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 144.5 miles from Dent, OH, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 64 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.5 miles or 2h 50m 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 33m
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 Dent, 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 Dent, OH
This is one driving day of about 289 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Dent, 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 170.6 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.1 and 217.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
23.1 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
38.7 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
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 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
217.8 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.41 one way
$88.82 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$50.09
$100.17
premium
$4.99
$56.74
$113.48
diesel
$4.80
$54.57
$109.14
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: 101.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.7
1
$30.35
$13.87
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.29
$11.56
EV Truck/SUV
115.6
1
$40.46
$18.50
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Dent, OH
Afternoon
in Dent on Saturday
Local time
12:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Afternoon
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
12:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
59°F
Jamestown, OH
145 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 35m 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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 239.2
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 59.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely on interstates, with a 97% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 71 and I 76. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 170.6 miles on I 71. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits as you navigate between these major arteries.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 23.1 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 29 significant decision points across 289 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 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,260 ft712 ft
Total Climb
844 ft
Total Descent
828 ft
Highest Point
1,260 ft
~164 mi in
Elevation Range
548 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dent, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Columbus, Lebanon, 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
•Youngstown station — former train station in Youngstown, Ohio, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 289 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.6 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 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
