Youngstown, OH to Ironton, OH is 289.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m via I 71, I 76, and Portsmouth - Columbus Road, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Ohio for its entirety. With most of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward trip. Plan for a single day of travel, making it a convenient option for a quick relocation or transit.
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
144.7 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
106.9 mi
1h 56m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
36.5 mi
47m
US 23
31.5 mi
42m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
US 52
19.4 mi
21m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.5 mi
17m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,981
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Ironton, 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
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
5.1 mi·5 min·I 71
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 101Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 EastUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 270
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, CirclevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
21
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi·4 min·South High Street
22
Continue on US 23
37 mi·47 min·Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·42 min·US 23
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
25
Continue on SR 823
17 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
26
Merge onto US 52
19 mi·21 min·US 52
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
28
Enter roundabout onto SR 93
48 ft·0 sec·Park Avenue
29
Continue on SR 93
0.3 mi·32 sec·Park Avenue
30
Turn right onto South 6th Street
371 ft·21 sec·South 6th Street
31
Turn left onto Center Street
183 ft·8 sec·Center Street
32
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 44m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim for an early morning departure from Youngstown to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the interstate segments to the Portsmouth - Columbus Road, as services might be less frequent. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget slightly more.
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 144.7 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 46m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironton, 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 289.4 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 106.9 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.6 and 180.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
178.5 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
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 101
Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
178.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
180.9 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.32 one way
$94.64 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$53.08
$106.17
premium
$5.23
$59.60
$119.20
diesel
$6.28
$71.51
$143.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.39
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.32
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.52
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Afternoon
in Youngstown on Thursday
Local time
3:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ironton, OH
Afternoon
in Ironton on Thursday
Local time
3:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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
5h 44m 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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 219.6
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 49.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 79% of the driving on interstates. You'll spend the longest stretch, 106.9 miles, on I 71. Expect the highway portion to conclude around where the Portsmouth - Columbus Road begins, shifting to more of a surface road feel. The dense exit activity common to interstate driving will likely be a noticeable feature for much of your drive.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 50.6 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 289.4 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 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,265 ft551 ft
Total Climb
635 ft
Total Descent
942 ft
Highest Point
1,265 ft
~124 mi in
Elevation Range
715 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Youngstown, OH and Ironton, OH, road signs point toward Grove City and Circleville.
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
•Arlington Avenue District — United States historic place
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 289.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Ironton, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ironton, OH before the return drive.
