Springfield, OH to Struthers, OH is 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Most of this trip is on major highways, making it a straightforward transit between these two Ohio cities. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without a lot of complex navigation.
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
107.4 miles from Springfield, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78.1 mi
1h 23m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
Delaware Avenue
14.4 mi
16m
SR 4
9.6 mi
10m
I 680
9.3 mi
12m
Mechanicsburg Road
7.6 mi
9m
State Route 4
6.9 mi
7m
West Sandusky Street
5.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Springfield, OH and Struthers, OH.
1
Start on South Limestone Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South Limestone Street
2
Turn right onto US 40; SR 4; SR 41
0.7 mi·1 min·East Columbia Street
3
Continue on SR 4
1.2 mi·1 min·Lagonda Avenue
4
Turn left onto SR 4
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Belmont Avenue
5
Turn right onto SR 4
0.1 mi·9 sec·Mitchell Boulevard
6
Continue on SR 4
0.6 mi·57 sec·Lagonda Avenue
7
Continue on SR 4
7.6 mi·9 min·Mechanicsburg Road
8
Continue on SR 4
6.9 mi·7 min·State Route 4
9
Continue on SR 4
5.9 mi·7 min·West Sandusky Street
10
Turn slight left onto SR 4
9.6 mi·10 min·SR 4
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 4
3.7 mi·4 min·US 36; SR 4
12
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 36
Exit 93Toward US 36 East: DelawareUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 36
14 mi·16 min·Delaware Avenue
14
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·West William Street
15
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
16
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.9 mi·8 min·State Route 37 East
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
18
Merge onto I 71
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
9.3 mi·12 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
28
Turn straight onto SR 170
0.7 mi·1 min·East Midlothian Boulevard
29
Turn right onto SR 170
0.5 mi·1 min·Youngstown Poland Road
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto Spring Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Spring Street
31
Arrive at destination
Spring Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under five hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Springfield in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach Struthers without feeling rushed. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can be flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town is 78.1 miles on I 71. The primary highways are well-serviced, but it's always wise to fill up before you hit that longer segment.
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 107.4 miles from Springfield, OH, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.1 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Struthers, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springfield, 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 Springfield, OH
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Springfield, 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 78.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.7 and 159.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
36.7 mi into trip|~45m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward US 36 East: Delaware
8
139 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
157.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.01 one way
$66.01 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.23
$74.45
premium
$4.99
$42.17
$84.35
diesel
$4.80
$40.56
$81.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.80
$8.59
EV Truck/SUV
85.9
1
$30.07
$13.75
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Springfield, OH
Morning
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 6 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 1:01PM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 12:57PM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Struthers, OH
Morning
in Struthers on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 1:01PM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 12:57PM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
4h 11m 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
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 163
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?
You'll spend about 82% of this 214.8-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 78.1 miles on I 71. Expect a significant portion of the drive to be on I 76, which can feature frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach your destination. The route transitions to Delaware Avenue for the final leg.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.1 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 36.7 miles in near US 36.
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 17 significant decision points across 214.8 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 36.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,205 ft959 ft
Total Climb
520 ft
Total Descent
491 ft
Highest Point
1,205 ft
~76.7 mi in
Elevation Range
246 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 Springfield, OH to Struthers, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m 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 78.1 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Struthers, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Struthers, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
