This 148.5-mile drive from Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH will take you about 3 hours and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing I-76 and I-71, with a segment on Harding Highway East, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route is budget-friendly for a single day of travel. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads, efficiently covering the distance. You can comfortably complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.3 miles from Marion, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
Harding Highway East
21.5 mi
33m
US 30
20.3 mi
23m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
I 80
4 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
East Center Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on SR 95; SR 309; SR 739
94 ft·9 sec·East Center Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
509 ft·21 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 95; SR 309
0.5 mi·53 sec·East Church Street
4
Turn left onto SR 309
475 ft·9 sec·Sargent Street
5
Turn slight right onto SR 309
1.3 mi·2 min·East Center Street
6
Continue on SR 309
22 mi·33 min·Harding Highway East
7
Continue on SR 598
0.1 mi·14 sec·State Route 598
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 30 East: Mansfield
9
Merge onto US 30
20 mi·23 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
11
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
21
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
23
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you can easily tackle this trip in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination or upon arrival in Youngstown. With only one major stretch of 57.6 miles on I-76 without a planned stop, be mindful of fuel levels before embarking. The $23 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a bit extra. This route's efficiency means you can be flexible with departure times and any brief stops you might need along the way.
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 74.3 miles from Marion, OH, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 33 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, OH
This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Marion, 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 76 for about 57.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 77.2 and 98.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
77.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
95.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
97.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
98.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
$23.05 one way
$46.09 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.58
$51.16
premium
$4.91
$28.70
$57.40
diesel
$5.61
$32.79
$65.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.59
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 19, 2026
Origin
Marion, OH
Morning
in Marion on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 3:52AM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 3:52AM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
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
27 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
3h 2m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 97.3
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 drive for 82% of this route. You'll encounter stretches primarily on I-76, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 57.6 miles. While predominantly interstate, there's a portion on Harding Highway East that might offer a slight change in pace. The character is one of consistent forward motion, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely exploration. You'll be on the main arteries for the bulk of the trip, experiencing a typical Midwestern highway environment.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on I 76.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.2 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 16 significant decision points across 148.5 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 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.5 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): 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.
On the drive from Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Marion is a city in West Central Ohio and is the county seat of Marion County, Ohio. It is home to the Marion Popcorn Festival, an annual event that is held in September, the weekend following Labor Day every year in downtown Marion.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.5 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 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Youngstown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
