Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
282 mi
454 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, OH
lgg pics
Youngstown, OH to Auburn, OH is 282 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Ohio, making it a straightforward trip without significant regional shifts. It's a highway-focused journey, so expect mostly high-speed travel. Given the relatively short duration and single day recommendation, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a focused drive to 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 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 183.5 mi | 3h 20m |
| I 76 | 39.2 mi | 44m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 19.8 mi | 24m |
| Butler County Veterans Highway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Millville Avenue | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Wickliffe Expressway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Hamilton Scipio Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Youngstown, OH and Auburn, OH.
Start on Central Square
Continue on Central Square
Turn straight onto Market Street
Turn right onto West Woodland Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 680
Continue on I 680
Merge onto I 80
Continue on I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Take the exit
Merge onto I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 741
Turn sharp left onto US 42
Continue on US 42
Turn right onto West Main Street
Turn right onto Mason Road
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
Continue on Mason Road
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
Continue on Mason Road
Continue on Liberty Way
Turn right onto Cox Lane
Enter roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
Continue on Butler County Veterans Highway
Continue on SR 129
Continue on SR 129; SR 177
Turn left onto SR 129
Turn left onto US 27; SR 129
Turn right onto SR 129
Continue on SR 129
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour, 29-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 183.5-mile stretch on I 71, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $44 suggests that filling up before you depart Youngstown or at a major hub along I 71 will be cost-effective.
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.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 42m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Youngstown, 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 Youngstown, OH
This is one driving day of about 282 miles and 5h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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.
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 141 miles from Youngstown, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.6 and 257.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 741 North: Kings Mills Road, Mason
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn sharp left onto US 42
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$43.77 one way
$87.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $48.57 | $97.15 |
| premium | $4.91 | $54.50 | $109.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.26 | $124.52 |
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: 98.7 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 | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.48 | $18.05 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I 71 and I 76, with a brief section on the Kenmore Expressway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 183.5 miles on I 71, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. This means consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration, characteristic of a direct interstate transit.
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 50.6 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 282 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 50.6 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.5 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Youngstown, OH to Auburn, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mason along the way.
Mason
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 282 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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