Youngstown, OH to Delaware, OH is 157.7 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Ohio, heading southwest through the Midwest. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making it a quick and efficient trip. If you're looking for a simple, direct connection between these two points, this route fits the bill.
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
78.9 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
78 mi
1h 23m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
State Route 37 East
5.8 mi
7m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
South Shore Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
East William Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 78 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 Youngstown, OH and Delaware, OH.
1
Start on Central Square
123 ft·9 sec·Central Square
2
Continue on Central Square
340 ft·14 sec·Central Square
3
Turn straight onto Market Street
0.5 mi·50 sec·Market Street
4
Turn right onto West Woodland Avenue
230 ft·4 sec·West Woodland Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
6
Merge onto I 680
1.5 mi·2 min·South Shore Expressway
7
Continue on I 680
4.6 mi·6 min·Wickliffe Expressway
8
Merge onto I 80
4.6 mi·5 min·I 80
9
Continue on I 76
39 mi·44 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 71
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 131Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, DelawareUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 36; SR 37
5.8 mi·7 min·State Route 37 East
15
Continue on US 36; SR 37
0.9 mi·1 min·Sunbury Road
16
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
1.1 mi·1 min·East William Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 36
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours, this is a perfect same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic closer to Delaware. With only 157.7 miles, you can easily manage the drive without a long stop, though a quick break is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $30, and plan your final stretch on I-71 accordingly.
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 78.9 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delaware, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 157.7 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Youngstown, 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 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 149.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Square
Continue onto Central Square
Navigation decision point
7
50.6 mi into trip|~59m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
7
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
5
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|I 71
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
149.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward US 36, SR 37: Sunbury, Delaware
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.29 one way
$54.59 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$30.09
$60.17
premium
$5.43
$33.69
$67.38
diesel
$5.35
$33.22
$66.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.08
$10.09
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Evening
in Youngstown on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
N 0 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Delaware, OH
Evening
in Delaware on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Creston, OH
79 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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 1m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 157.7 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 78 miles on I-71. The transition to surface roads will happen near Delaware, OH. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Central Square.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.7 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: near the start (Central Square): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,390 ft857 ft
Total Climb
856 ft
Total Descent
843 ft
Highest Point
1,390 ft
~112.7 mi in
Elevation Range
533 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Delaware is a quaint town of 41,000 people (2020) in the Greater Columbus region of Ohio. Delaware is home to the liberal Ohio Wesleyan University. It is the birthplace of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States of America. His Presidential Library and home are in Fremont, Ohio.
Top landmarks
•Edwards Gymnasium and Pfieffer Natatorium — building in Ohio, US
•Richard Ross Museum of Art — art museum in Delaware, Ohio
•Sandusky Street Historic District — historic district in Delaware, Ohio, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 157.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Central Square): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Delaware, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
