Origin
Sterling, OH
Morning in Sterling on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling, OH to Youngstown, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
73.7 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling, OH
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This straightforward drive from Sterling to Youngstown, Ohio, covers 73.7 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes. It's a perfect day trip, requiring no overnight stops, and stays entirely within the Midwest region. The primary roads you'll be on are I-76, I-680, and I-80, making it a predominantly highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $11, this route is budget-friendly for a quick hop between these two Ohio cities. You can expect a smooth, efficient trip with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Sterling, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 76 | 56.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 680 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 4 mi | 4m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Sterling Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Center Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Seville Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Market Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 56.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on Chestnut Street
106 ft
·
10 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn left onto CR 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Kauffman Avenue
3
Continue on CR 60
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Seville Road
4
Continue on CR 43
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Sterling Road
5
Continue on Milton Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Milton Street
6
Continue on SR 3
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Street
7
Continue on SR 3
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Wooster Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
9
Merge onto I 76; US 224
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi
·
43 min
·
I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
16
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Market Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
Central Square
18
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 31-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Sterling during off-peak hours to maximize your time and minimize potential traffic delays on the interstates. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, be mindful of the longest stretch of 56.2 miles on I-76; plan any necessary breaks before or after this segment. The $11 fuel cost is quite low, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave to avoid needing to stop for gas on this quick journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.9 miles from Sterling, OH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.2 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
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 Sterling, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sterling, OH
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Sterling, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 76 for about 56.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from Sterling, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 76; US 224
Merge onto I 76; US 224
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
20.7 mi into trip
|
~29m 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
22.6 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
23.8 mi into trip
|
~33m 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.
5
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 680
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680 toward I 680: Youngstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 680: Youngstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.44 one way
$22.88 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $12.69 | $25.39 |
| premium | $4.91 | $14.24 | $28.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.27 | $32.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning in Youngstown on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Brimfield, OH
37 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
3 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
1h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 22.9
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-76, experiencing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 56.2 miles on this particular highway. The profile suggests a steady pace, typical of interstate travel, with limited deviations onto local roads. Expect a consistent driving experience as you navigate from Sterling towards Youngstown, primarily on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.2 mi on I 76.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 680. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near I 76; US 224.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (I 76; US 224): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (I 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Youngstown, OH
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m 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 56.2 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (I 76; US 224): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (I 76): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Youngstown, OH before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Youngstown, OH
More trips to Youngstown, OH
Explore more options from Sterling, OH or browse trips ending in Youngstown, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.