Connecting South Point to Youngstown, this 287.9-mile journey across Ohio typically takes about 5 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel, making this a relatively affordable trek through the Midwest. Navigating via WV 2, Huntington Road, and Atlantic Boulevard Northeast, you will find a consistent pace that keeps travel time predictable. It is a straightforward trip designed for those who prefer efficiency over winding backroads.
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
143.9 miles from South Point, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WV 2
174.6 mi
3h 11m
Huntington Road
20.8 mi
23m
Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
15.5 mi
20m
Ohio River Road
12.2 mi
13m
I 76
11.7 mi
12m
I 64
11 mi
12m
US 52
6.4 mi
7m
Union Avenue Northeast
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
WV 2
— 174.6 mi, about 3h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Point, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on CR 1
0.1 mi·20 sec·4th Street East
2
Turn right onto CR 18
0.9 mi·2 min·Solida Road
3
Enter roundabout
93 ft·3 sec
4
Continue
0.2 mi·25 sec
5
Merge onto US 52
4.8 mi·5 min·US 52
6
Take the exit onto US 52
1.6 mi·2 min·US 52
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 64
11 mi·12 min·I 64
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward WV 2, WV 193: Barboursville
10
Turn left onto WV 193
3.3 mi·3 min·Big Ben Bowen Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto WV 2
12 mi·13 min·Ohio River Road
12
Continue on WV 2
21 mi·23 min·Huntington Road
13
Continue on WV 2
0.1 mi·7 sec·Viand Street
14
Continue on WV 2
0.3 mi·25 sec·WV 2
15
At end of road, turn right onto WV 2; WV 62
29 mi·35 min·WV 2; WV 62
16
Turn left onto WV 2
145 mi·2 hr 36 min·WV 2
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
18
Merge onto US 30
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 30
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward SR 43 North: Cherry Avenue, Downtown
20
Keep slight left at fork
218 ft·5 sec
21
Turn right onto SR 43
0.8 mi·1 min·Cherry Avenue Southeast
22
Continue on SR 43
1.5 mi·2 min·Cherry Avenue Northeast
23
Turn right onto SR 43
0.7 mi·1 min·Market Avenue North
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 62 East: Alliance
25
Continue on US 62
0.8 mi·1 min·Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Continue on US 62
0.4 mi·41 sec·Columbus Road Northeast
27
Continue on US 62
15 mi·19 min·Atlantic Boulevard Northeast
28
At end of road, turn left onto SR 225
6.2 mi·8 min·Union Avenue Northeast
29
Turn right onto US 224; SR 225
2.5 mi·3 min·US 224; SR 225
30
Enter roundabout onto SR 14; SR 225
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Route 14
31
Continue on SR 14; SR 225
486 ft·11 sec·State Route 14
32
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 225
5.4 mi·7 min·SR 225
33
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
34
Merge onto I 76
12 mi·12 min·I 76
35
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
38
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
39
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
40
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5-hour and 35-minute drive, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the journey and stretch your legs. Starting your trip early in the morning is the best way to avoid peak congestion and ensure you arrive in Youngstown with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. Because the route relies heavily on major roads, remain alert during the long 174.6-mile stretch on WV 2 to maintain your focus. Having the flexibility to handle the drive in a single day is a major advantage, so pack snacks and water to minimize unnecessary stops 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 143.9 miles from South Point, OH, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.6 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 45m 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 28m
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 South Point, 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 South Point, OH
This is one driving day of about 287.9 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from South Point, 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 WV 2 for about 174.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 231.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
19.1 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward WV 2, WV 193: Barboursville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WV 2, WV 193: Barboursville
5
56.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|WV 2; WV 62
At end of road, turn right onto WV 2; WV 62
Navigation decision point
6
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|WV 2
Turn left onto WV 2
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
231.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
$44.68 one way
$89.36 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$49.59
$99.18
premium
$4.91
$55.64
$111.28
diesel
$5.61
$63.56
$127.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.4
1
$30.23
$13.82
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.19
$11.52
EV Truck/SUV
115.2
1
$40.31
$18.43
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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
South Point, OH
Night
in South Point on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Night
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with 77% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 174.6 miles along WV 2. While the drive is largely efficient, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience from feeling entirely monotonous. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns remain fairly consistent throughout the 287.9-mile span. This is a practical, no-nonsense route that favors steady movement over technical local maneuvers.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.6 mi on WV 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WV 2 and Huntington Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 287.9 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 1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (WV 2; WV 62): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,178 ft561 ft
Total Climb
1,084 ft
Total Descent
788 ft
Highest Point
1,178 ft
~239.9 mi in
Elevation Range
618 ft
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 South Point, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
231.3 mi in|~4h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 287.9 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 (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.6 miles on WV 2. 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 1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (WV 2; WV 62): Navigation decision point.
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.
