Youngstown to New Madison is 274.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays entirely within Ohio, offering a straightforward drive. With 97% of the trip on highways, you'll spend most of your time on interstates. Consider this trip if you're looking for an efficient way to travel across the state without significant detours. The primary highways make for predictable travel times.
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
137.2 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
85.3 mi
1h 33m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
US 127
6.5 mi
7m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,219 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,827
Quietest
2 AM
~350 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 New Madison, 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
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 70
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 10Toward US 127: Eaton, Greenville
19
Turn right onto US 127
6.5 mi·7 min·US 127
20
Turn left onto SR 722
3.7 mi·6 min·West Elm Street
21
Turn right onto SR 726
2.5 mi·4 min·SR 726
22
Turn left onto SR 726
0.3 mi·27 sec·East Washington Street
23
Arrive at destination
SR 726
Trip Plan
For this 5h 13m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With the longest stretch being almost 100 miles, plan a brief stop around the halfway point, perhaps after the first few hours on I-71, to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so ensure your tank is full before departing Youngstown to avoid needing to search for stations on potentially less populated highway stretches. Given it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an early start ensures you arrive with plenty of time.
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 137.2 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Madison, 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 274.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 98.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.6 and 171.3 — 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
170.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
7
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
6
171.3 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 670
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.95 one way
$85.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$48.35
$96.70
premium
$5.06
$54.64
$109.28
diesel
$6.18
$66.78
$133.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.82
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.43
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph91% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 7:19AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
New Madison, OH
Morning
in New Madison on Saturday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 17 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 7:19AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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 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 13m 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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 236.6
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 227.2
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
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 47.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway cruising, with 97% of the 274.5 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 98.8 miles on I-71, so expect continuous high-speed travel for a significant portion. The transition to surface roads will likely occur closer to your destination in New Madison. The frequent exits on the main interstates suggest a busy highway environment for much of the route.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. 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 18 significant decision points across 274.5 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 170.4 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
1,227 ft795 ft
Total Climb
992 ft
Total Descent
742 ft
Highest Point
1,227 ft
~98 mi in
Elevation Range
432 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 Youngstown, OH to New Madison, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Dayton 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 5h 13m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 New Madison, 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 40 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 170.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Madison, OH before the return drive.
