This 255-mile drive from Oak Hill, OH to Youngstown, OH is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 5 hours to complete. Primarily utilizing I-77, SR 7, and US 35, you'll find this route is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of the journey on faster roads. With an estimated fuel cost of around $40, it's an economical option for traversing the Midwest. The drive is straightforward and efficient, making it a practical choice if you're looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
127.5 miles from Oak Hill, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 77
114.5 mi
2h 3m
SR 7
45.5 mi
53m
US 35
16.4 mi
17m
Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
15.5 mi
20m
I 76
11.7 mi
12m
East Main Street
7 mi
12m
US 50
6.7 mi
8m
Union Avenue Northeast
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 77
— 114.5 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-77
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~964 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,179
Quietest
1 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
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 Oak Hill, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on SR 279
49 ft·3 sec·Maple Street
2
Turn left onto SR 93; SR 279
0.4 mi·38 sec·Front Street
3
Turn right onto SR 279
0.2 mi·24 sec·Madison Street
4
Continue on SR 279
7.0 mi·12 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on SR 279
0.5 mi·50 sec·Centerpoint Road
6
Turn right onto SR 279
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 279
7
Turn right onto US 35
16 mi·17 min·US 35
8
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 735
1.0 mi·1 min·SR 735
9
Turn left onto SR 7
19 mi·22 min·SR 7
10
Take the exit onto SR 7
0.5 mi·1 min·SR 7
Toward SR 7 North: Belpre
11
Turn left onto SR 7
25 mi·28 min·SR 7
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
13
Take the exit onto US 50
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 50
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
6.5 mi·8 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: ParkersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
4.7 mi·5 min·Corridor D
16
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
17
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
115 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 77; WV 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
19
Merge onto US 30
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 30
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward SR 43 North: Cherry Avenue, Downtown
21
Keep slight left at fork
218 ft·5 sec
22
Turn right onto SR 43
0.8 mi·1 min·Cherry Avenue Southeast
23
Continue on SR 43
1.5 mi·2 min·Cherry Avenue Northeast
24
Turn right onto SR 43
0.7 mi·1 min·Market Avenue North
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 62 East: Alliance
26
Continue on US 62
0.8 mi·1 min·Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Continue on US 62
0.4 mi·41 sec·Columbus Road Northeast
28
Continue on US 62
15 mi·19 min·Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
29
At end of road, turn left onto SR 225
6.2 mi·8 min·Union Avenue Northeast
30
Turn right onto US 224; SR 225
2.5 mi·3 min·US 224; SR 225
31
Enter roundabout onto SR 14; SR 225
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Route 14
32
Continue on SR 14; SR 225
486 ft·11 sec·State Route 14
33
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 225
5.4 mi·7 min·SR 225
34
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
35
Merge onto I 76
12 mi·12 min·I 76
36
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
39
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
40
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
41
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With only one suggested stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 255 miles as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 114.5 miles on I-77, as services can be spaced out. Planning your fuel stops strategically before entering longer, less populated sections will ensure a smooth 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 127.5 miles from Oak Hill, OH, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 2m
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 Oak Hill, 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 Oak Hill, OH
This is one driving day of about 255.1 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Oak Hill, 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 77 for about 114.5 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 198.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
46 mi into trip|~57m in|SR 7
Turn left onto SR 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
7
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 East: Parkersburg
5
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 77; WV 2
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward SR 43 North: Cherry Avenue, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 43 North: Cherry Avenue, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.20 one way
$78.40 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.21
$88.42
premium
$4.99
$50.09
$100.17
diesel
$4.80
$48.17
$96.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.5
0
$26.79
$12.24
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.32
$10.20
EV Truck/SUV
102
1
$35.71
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 20, 2026
Origin
Oak Hill, OH
Late night
in Oak Hill on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Late night
in Youngstown on Monday
Local time
3:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Patchy Smoke
N 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Caldwell, OH
128 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
6 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 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 5-hour journey. Eighty-four percent of the drive will be on interstates and major highways, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 114.5 miles on I-77, allowing for steady progress. While the route is predominantly fast-paced, be aware of transitions between I-77, SR 7, and US 35, as these may involve slight changes in road character before settling back into highway driving.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.5 mi on I 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and SR 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46 miles in near SR 7.
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 31 significant decision points across 255.1 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 46 miles (SR 7): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,070 ft565 ft
Total Climb
843 ft
Total Descent
689 ft
Highest Point
1,070 ft
~200.4 mi in
Elevation Range
506 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oak Hill, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Beverly and Downtown.
Beverly
71.6 mi in|~1h 27m|via US 50
Downtown
198.4 mi in|~3h 47m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 2m. Total distance: 255.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.5 miles on I 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46 miles (SR 7): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
