Youngstown to Oxford is 282.5 miles and takes about 5h 35m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, taking you from the Midwest region of Youngstown to the Midwest region of Oxford. With 88% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct trip with minimal detours. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day drive across the state, getting you to your destination with time to spare.
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
141.2 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
176.2 mi
3h 11m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Oxford Trenton Road
6.6 mi
9m
Greentree Road
6.2 mi
10m
Oxford State Road
6.1 mi
10m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 176.2 mi, about 3h 11m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 130 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,928 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,661
Quietest
2 AM
~228 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Oxford, 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
74 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 32Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
15
Turn right onto SR 123
3.8 mi·6 min·SR 123
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn right onto South West Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·South West Street
17
Continue on Franklin Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Franklin Road
18
Continue on C-20
4.8 mi·6 min·Greentree Road
Use the left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto C-20
108 ft·3 sec·Greentree Road
20
Continue on C-20
1.4 mi·3 min·Greentree Road
21
Turn right onto Cincinnati-Dayton Road
0.1 mi·22 sec·Cincinnati-Dayton Road
22
Turn left onto Oxford State Road
5.5 mi·9 min·Oxford State Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on SR 73
1.8 mi·2 min·East State Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on SR 73
0.7 mi·58 sec·Oxford State Road
25
Continue on SR 73
1.3 mi·1 min·Trenton Oxford Road
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 73
122 ft·2 sec·Trenton Oxford Road
27
Continue on SR 73
3.2 mi·4 min·Trenton Oxford Road
28
Merge onto US 127; SR 73
2.6 mi·2 min·Hamilton Eaton Road
29
Enter roundabout onto SR 73
247 ft·3 sec·Oxford Trenton Road
30
Continue on SR 73
6.5 mi·9 min·Oxford Trenton Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 27
191 ft·10 sec·South Patterson Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto East Spring Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left
249 ft·19 sec
34
Turn right
55 ft·6 sec
35
Turn right
504 ft·36 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 35-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive and settle in. The longest stretch without a major road change is 176.2 miles on I 71, so plan your first major stop after that if you prefer to break up longer driving segments. Given the $44 fuel estimate, it's wise to fill up before leaving Youngstown or shortly after hitting I 71 to avoid potentially higher prices in more rural areas. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but knowing the route is mostly highway means you can maintain a steady pace.
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 141.2 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.2 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 62 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.2 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 Oxford, 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 282.5 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 176.2 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 281.6 — 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
6
173.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
247.9 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
7
281.6 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|US 27 / South Patterson Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 27 / South Patterson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.20 one way
$88.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$49.76
$99.52
premium
$5.06
$56.23
$112.47
diesel
$6.18
$68.72
$137.45
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: 98.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.8
1
$29.66
$13.56
Efficient EV
70.6
0
$24.72
$11.30
EV Truck/SUV
113
1
$39.55
$18.08
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Sunday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
31°F
Widespread Frost
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:11PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:04PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Oxford, OH
Morning
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
30°F
Widespread Frost
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:11PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:04PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
45°F
Springfield, OH
141 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
1 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 35m 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 224
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 48.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 233.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 282.5 miles spent on major roads like I 71 and I 76. You'll experience a long stretch of 176.2 miles on I 71, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect the highway portion to largely conclude around mile 248.8, transitioning to surface streets as you approach Oxford.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.2 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 282.5 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 173.5 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,287 ft648 ft
Total Climb
1,123 ft
Total Descent
1,059 ft
Highest Point
1,287 ft
~121.1 mi in
Elevation Range
639 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 Oxford, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Lebanon 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 35m. Total distance: 282.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.2 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Oxford, 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 37 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 173.5 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oxford, OH before the return drive.
