This 205.5-mile drive from Florence, OH to Youngstown, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Midwest. Clocking in at around 4 hours, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The route predominantly utilizes I-71 and I-76, making it a familiar interstate experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it’s an economical option for a quick regional hop. This is a practical drive for getting from point A to point B efficiently within Ohio.
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
102.7 miles from Florence, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 70
16.4 mi
17m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
London – Delaware Road
5.3 mi
7m
Columbus Cincinnati Road
5.2 mi
7m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
I 80
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on Neil Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Neil Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 42
5.2 mi·7 min·Columbus Cincinnati Road
3
Continue on US 42
1.0 mi·2 min·West High Street
4
Turn slight left onto US 42; SR 38
0.2 mi·27 sec·Elm Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 42
0.4 mi·51 sec·Lafayette Road
6
Continue on US 42
5.3 mi·7 min·London – Delaware Road
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 70
16 mi·17 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 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 4-hour duration, an early morning departure from Florence, OH, will allow you to reach Youngstown, OH well before midday. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to pull over for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of I-71, which spans almost 100 miles. Since this is a manageable day trip, you can depart with minimal pre-planning, but checking live traffic conditions before you leave is always a good idea.
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 102.7 miles from Florence, OH, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 16m
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 Florence, 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 Florence, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Florence, 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 99.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 134.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
29.4 mi into trip|~40m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
33.7 mi into trip|~45m in|North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
7
34.3 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
$31.89 one way
$63.79 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$35.40
$70.79
premium
$4.91
$39.72
$79.43
diesel
$5.61
$45.37
$90.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Florence, OH
Morning
in Florence on Sunday
Local time
10:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Sunday
Local time
10:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
103 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
15 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 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 156
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this route is on interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-71, including a continuous stretch of nearly 99.5 miles. The profile suggests a consistent driving pace, ideal for covering ground without many interruptions. While primarily interstate, the drive is about efficient travel rather than winding country roads or dramatic scenic vistas. The main roads, I-71, I-76, and I-70, are designed for steady progress.
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: 99.5 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 29.4 miles in near I 670.
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 18 significant decision points across 205.5 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 29.4 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florence, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
33.7 mi in|~45m|via North Innerbelt
Akron
134.1 mi in|~2h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 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 99.5 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 29.4 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Youngstown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
