Youngstown, OH to Payne, OH is 245.6 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Ohio Turnpike and Anthony Wayne Trail, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip, largely on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss across the state, this is a solid choice.
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
122.8 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ohio Turnpike
158.6 mi
2h 49m
Anthony Wayne Trail
65.7 mi
1h 13m
SR 49
6.5 mi
11m
I 80
5 mi
6m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
South Shore Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Conant Street
1.2 mi
2m
Market Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ohio Turnpike
— 158.6 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,021 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,348
Quietest
2 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Payne, 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
4.1 mi·4 min·I 80
9
Take the exit onto I 80
0.5 mi·1 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West, I 76 EastUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.4 mi·1 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Cleveland
11
Merge onto I 80
31 mi·33 min·Ohio Turnpike
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
128 mi·2 hr 16 min·Ohio Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 59Toward US 20: Maumee, Toledo
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
15
Turn straight onto US 20
0.5 mi·44 sec·Reynolds Road
16
Continue on US 20
1.2 mi·2 min·Conant Street
17
Turn right onto US 24
66 mi·1 hr 13 min·Anthony Wayne Trail
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 3Toward SR 49: Payne, Antwerp
19
Turn left onto SR 49
6.5 mi·11 min·SR 49
20
Turn right onto SR 613
169 ft·5 sec·West Townline Street
21
Turn right
40 ft·2 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, consider leaving Youngstown in the morning to give yourself ample time. With only one stop recommended, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the Ohio Turnpike, as services might be less frequent on SR 49. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor in current gas prices. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can depart and arrive at your convenience.
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 122.8 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.6 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.8 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Payne, 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 245.6 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Ohio Turnpike for about 158.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 238.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.9 mi into trip|~14m in|I 80
Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 West, I 76 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West, I 76 East
5
11.4 mi into trip|~15m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Cleveland
6
42.9 mi into trip|~50m in|I 80 / Ohio Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Ohio Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
170.4 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 20: Maumee, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59
Toward US 20: Maumee, Toledo
6
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward SR 49: Payne, Antwerp
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward SR 49: Payne, Antwerp
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.51 one way
$85.01 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$46.86
$93.71
premium
$5.43
$52.47
$104.93
diesel
$5.35
$51.73
$103.46
Estimated Tolls: $7.93
Ohio Turnpike
(158.6 mi)$7.93
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.49
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.38
$15.72
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Afternoon
in Youngstown on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Payne, OH
Afternoon
in Payne on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 38m 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.
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 72% of the 245.6 miles on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 158.6 miles, on the Ohio Turnpike. After that, the route transitions to surface roads like the Anthony Wayne Trail and SR 49. Expect a noticeable change in pace and exit frequency as you leave the turnpike behind.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.6 mi on Ohio Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and Anthony Wayne Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 245.6 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 10.9 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.9 miles (I 80 / Ohio Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,243 ft602 ft
Total Climb
590 ft
Total Descent
699 ft
Highest Point
1,243 ft
~35.1 mi in
Elevation Range
641 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 Payne, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo along the way.
Toledo
170.4 mi in|~3h 6m
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 245.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.6 miles on Ohio Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.93 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Payne, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.9 miles (I 80 / Ohio Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Payne, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
