Youngstown, OH to Pataskala, OH is 172.7 miles and takes about 3h 24m via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on interstates, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick transit between these two points. You'll find it easy to navigate, with most of your time spent on major highways.
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
86.4 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
68.4 mi
1h 13m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
Granville Street
10.6 mi
12m
State Route 61
8.9 mi
12m
Hazelton-Etna Road Southwest
4.8 mi
7m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 68.4 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 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 Pataskala, 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
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 140Toward SR 61: Sunbury, Mount GileadUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto SR 61
4.6 mi·6 min·State Route 61
15
Enter roundabout onto SR 61
271 ft·4 sec·State Route 61
16
Continue on SR 61
4.3 mi·5 min·State Route 61
17
Continue on Columbus Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Columbus Street
18
Turn left onto SR 37
0.1 mi·16 sec·Cherry Street
19
Turn right onto SR 37
413 ft·5 sec·Morning Street
20
Continue on SR 37
11 mi·12 min·Granville Street
21
Continue on SR 37
1.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on SR 37
1.6 mi·1 min·Johnstown-Alexandria Road
23
Turn right onto SR 310
3.4 mi·5 min·Hazelton Etna Road
24
Continue on SR 310
0.4 mi·33 sec·Hazelton-Etna Road Northwest
25
Continue on SR 310
4.8 mi·7 min·Hazelton-Etna Road Southwest
26
Turn right onto SR 16; SR 310
0.1 mi·11 sec·East Broad Street
27
Turn left onto SR 310
0.5 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto East Depot Street
231 ft·15 sec·East Depot Street
29
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
31 ft·1 sec·Jefferson Street
30
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 24m duration, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the drive comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a modest fuel cost of around $33, you have flexibility in when and where you might pull over. Keep an eye on the mileage for the 68.4-mile stretch on I-71 to plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially if you prefer not to drive for extended periods without stopping.
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 86.4 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pataskala, 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 172.7 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 68.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.6 and 149.9 — 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
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
140.1 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward SR 61: Sunbury, Mount Gilead
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 140
Toward SR 61: Sunbury, Mount Gilead
5
149.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|SR 37 / Morning Street
Turn right onto SR 37 / Morning Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.79 one way
$55.58 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.63
$31.51
$63.02
premium
$5.17
$35.18
$70.36
diesel
$6.22
$42.26
$84.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
EV Truck/SUV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Sunny
N 7 to 12 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 10:06AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:01AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Pataskala, OH
Morning
in Pataskala on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
8 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
3h 24m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 47.7
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 85% of the route on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 68.4 miles on I-71, offering a good amount of uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur as you get closer to Pataskala, though the majority of your time will be spent on the open highway. Expect a relatively consistent driving experience with frequent exits along the interstate sections.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.4 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 50.6 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
Driving Effort6/10
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 172.7 miles you will encounter 17 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: 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 71.7 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,310 ft857 ft
Total Climb
920 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
1,310 ft
~98.7 mi in
Elevation Range
453 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 Pataskala, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Gilead 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 3h 24m. Total distance: 172.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.4 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Pataskala, 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 23 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 71.7 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Pataskala, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
