This 203.3-mile drive from Urbana, OH, to Youngstown, OH, is a manageable one-day trip, taking just under 4 hours to complete. Primarily an interstate-focused journey, you'll spend about 82% of your time on highways, making for a straightforward commute. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, which is quite reasonable for this distance. This route is ideal for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The Midwest regions of both your origin and destination mean you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.7 miles from Urbana, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m 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
Scioto Street
10.7 mi
16m
SR 4
9.6 mi
10m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
State Route 37 East
5.9 mi
8m
East Sandusky Street
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 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 Urbana, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on US 68
86 ft·1 sec·North Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 36; SR 29
177 ft·3 sec·Scioto Street
3
Continue on US 36; SR 29
1.2 mi·2 min·Scioto Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 29
9.5 mi·14 min·Scioto Street
5
Continue on SR 29; SR 559
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
6
Turn left onto SR 4
5.4 mi·7 min·East Sandusky Street
7
Turn slight left onto SR 4
9.6 mi·10 min·SR 4
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 4
3.7 mi·4 min·US 36; SR 4
9
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 36
Exit 93Toward US 36 East: DelawareUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 36
14 mi·16 min·Delaware Avenue
11
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·West William Street
12
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
13
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.9 mi·8 min·State Route 37 East
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
15
Merge onto I 71
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
25
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
26
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
27
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 58-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day departure, allowing you to leave in the morning and arrive by afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 78.1 miles on I-71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. Planning your departure to avoid peak traffic in and around the larger towns along I-71 could significantly smooth your progress.
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 101.7 miles from Urbana, OH, or about 2h 1m 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 15m
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 Urbana, 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 Urbana, OH
This is one driving day of about 203.3 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Urbana, 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 29.7 and 152.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
29.7 mi into trip|~40m 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
132 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
132.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
150.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
152.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
$31.24 one way
$62.48 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$35.23
$70.47
premium
$4.99
$39.92
$79.83
diesel
$4.80
$38.39
$76.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
Efficient EV
50.8
0
$17.79
$8.13
EV Truck/SUV
81.3
1
$28.46
$13.01
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Urbana, OH
Late night
in Urbana on Monday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 5 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Late night
in Youngstown on Monday
Local time
2:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 154.3
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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 82% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.1 miles on I-71, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While much of the drive will be on major roadways, the route does incorporate Delaware Avenue, suggesting a potential shift in scenery and speed as you approach your destination. This highway-centric profile indicates a generally efficient and direct journey, minimizing complex navigation.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 29.7 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 203.3 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 29.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,130 ft941 ft
Total Climb
248 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
1,130 ft
~174.3 mi in
Elevation Range
189 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 Urbana, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 203.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m 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 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.2 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Youngstown, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
