If you are planning a trip across Ohio, this 283.3-mile journey from Union City to Youngstown is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, specifically I-71, I-70, and I-76. Budgeting about $42 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Navigating through the Midwest, you will find this path is highly practical for those prioritizing speed and efficiency over secondary roads. It is a reliable, highway-focused route that keeps you moving consistently toward your destination.
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
141.6 miles from Union City, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
70.1 mi
1h 16m
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
Dayton Road
17 mi
19m
East Main Street
11.3 mi
16m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
South Dayton Greenville Pike
5.1 mi
5m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on SR 47
232 ft·6 sec·East Elm Street
2
Turn left onto North State Line Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·North State Line Street
3
Turn left onto SR 571
11 mi·16 min·East Main Street
4
Continue on SR 49; SR 571
0.1 mi·15 sec·Wayne Street
5
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 571
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Main Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto SR 49; SR 118; SR 571
0.3 mi·26 sec·South Broadway
7
Enter roundabout onto South Broadway
187 ft·4 sec·South Broadway
8
Continue on South Broadway
0.3 mi·23 sec·South Broadway
9
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121
0.4 mi·37 sec·Washington Avenue
10
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121
0.3 mi·34 sec·Pine Street
11
Turn left onto SR 49
1.1 mi·1 min·Sweitzer Street
12
Continue on SR 49
17 mi·19 min·Dayton Road
13
Continue on SR 49
0.7 mi·47 sec·North State Street
14
Continue on SR 49
5.1 mi·5 min·South Dayton Greenville Pike
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
21 mi·23 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
31
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
32
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
33
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion that often builds up on major interstates. While the total travel time is manageable, planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 99.5-mile stretch on I-71, as it is the longest part of your drive without major exits. Because the route is entirely within Ohio, you will benefit from consistent road signage, but remain alert for merge points where I-70 and I-76 intersect. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here; if you hit a lull in traffic, you can easily reach your destination ahead of schedule.
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 141.6 miles from Union City, OH, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.6 miles or 2h 43m 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 24m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, OH
This is one driving day of about 283.3 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Union City, 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 99.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 107.1 and 212.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
111.5 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
7
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
211.9 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.97 one way
$87.93 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$48.80
$97.59
premium
$4.91
$54.75
$109.51
diesel
$5.61
$62.55
$125.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85
1
$29.75
$13.60
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
EV Truck/SUV
113.3
1
$39.66
$18.13
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Union City, OH
Night
in Union City on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
S 9 to 22 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Night
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
142 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
24 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 24m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 48.8
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 58.6
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 234.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 86% of the journey taking place on high-speed highways. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the trip, characterized by a mix of interstate connectivity that makes for a predictable experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 99.5-mile segment along I-71, which allows for steady cruising. While the road lacks the technical challenges of local backroads, it offers a smooth, interstate-heavy environment ideal for those looking to cover ground quickly. As you transition between the various highway systems, the driving rhythm remains steady and focused on reaching Youngstown with minimal deviation.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 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 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.1 miles in near I 670.
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 25 significant decision points across 283.3 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 107.1 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.5 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,154 ft815 ft
Total Climb
474 ft
Total Descent
724 ft
Highest Point
1,154 ft
~200.6 mi in
Elevation Range
340 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union City, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
111.5 mi in|~2h 10m|via North Innerbelt
Akron
211.9 mi in|~3h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 283.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.5 miles on I 71. 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 107.1 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.5 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
