Youngstown, OH to Rush Creek, OH is 181.9 miles and takes about 3h 33m via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily in Ohio, and is almost entirely on interstate highways. It’s a straightforward trip for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. Given its short duration and highway focus, it’s a great option for a quick, no-fuss transit between these two points.
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
91 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
101.8 mi
1h 51m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
Harrisburg Pike
2.7 mi
5m
Big Run South Road
2.1 mi
3m
South Shore Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Rush Creek, 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 left at fork onto I 70
1.0 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Continue on I 70
0.5 mi·43 sec·West Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 98BToward Mound StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto West Mound Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·West Mound Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 62; SR 3
2.7 mi·5 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Alkire Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Alkire Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Big Run South Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Big Run South Road
20
Turn left onto Demorest Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Demorest Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Basswood Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·Basswood Avenue
22
Turn left onto Magnolia Street
310 ft·12 sec·Magnolia Street
23
Turn right onto Marsol Avenue
389 ft·13 sec·Marsol Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Marsol Avenue
Trip Plan
For this short, single-day drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving anytime in the morning should get you to Rush Creek with plenty of daylight remaining. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so plan accordingly. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily adjust if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 101.8-mile stretch on I-71, as services can be spread out on interstates.
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 91 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 1h 47m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rush Creek, 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 181.9 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 101.8 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 175.3 — 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
6
173.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 70 / South Innerbelt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / South Innerbelt
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
175 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Mound Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 98B
Toward Mound Street
6
175.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|West Mound Street
Turn right onto West Mound Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.95 one way
$55.90 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$31.52
$63.05
premium
$4.99
$35.71
$71.43
diesel
$4.80
$34.35
$68.69
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: 63.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.47
$11.64
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Late night
in Youngstown on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Smoke
NW 6 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Rush Creek, OH
Late night
in Rush Creek on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Smoke
NW 9 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM 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
5 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
3h 33m 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 50.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of the 181.9 miles. You'll experience a long stretch of 101.8 miles on I-71 before transitioning to other highways. Expect numerous exits and relatively constant cruising speeds for most of the drive. The transition away from the interstate system will likely occur in the final few miles as you approach Rush Creek.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 18 significant decision points across 181.9 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 70 / South Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 33m. Total distance: 181.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Rush Creek, 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 27 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 70 / South Innerbelt): 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Rush Creek, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
