Youngstown, OH to Wilmington, OH is 235 miles and takes about 4 hours 27 minutes via I-71 and I-76, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. With 99% highway driving, expect a straightforward and efficient transit. This route is best suited for travelers looking to cover ground quickly between these two Ohio cities without much deviation. It’s a practical option for a single-day trip, allowing you to arrive 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
117.7 miles from Youngstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
158 mi
2h 52m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
US 68
4.9 mi
7m
I 80
4.6 mi
5m
Wickliffe Expressway
4.6 mi
6m
South Shore Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
North South Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 158 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,967 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,666
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Wilmington, 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
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 50Toward US 68: Wilmington
15
Turn left onto US 68
4.9 mi·7 min·US 68
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto US 68
0.6 mi·1 min·North South Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 22; SR 3; SR 134
14 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 22; SR 3; SR 134
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4 hour 27 minute drive time, this route is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart Youngstown in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. You’ll encounter one recommended stop along the way, which is a good opportunity to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 158-mile stretch on I-71, to ensure you don't need to deviate from your planned path for gas. This trip's predominantly highway nature means you can anticipate a consistent driving experience.
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 117.7 miles from Youngstown, OH, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.7 miles or 2h 16m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, 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 235.3 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 158 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.6 and 229.7 — 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.
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.
5
229.7 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 68: Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 50
Toward US 68: Wilmington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.72 one way
$81.45 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$44.89
$89.78
premium
$5.43
$50.27
$100.53
diesel
$5.35
$49.56
$99.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.6
0
$24.71
$11.29
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.59
$9.41
EV Truck/SUV
94.1
1
$32.94
$15.06
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 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 29, 2026
Origin
Youngstown, OH
Afternoon
in Youngstown on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 to 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Wilmington, OH
Afternoon
in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM 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
4 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 27m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 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
~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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 227.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend nearly all your time on the highway, with 99% of the 235 miles on interstates like I-71 and I-76. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 158 miles on I-71. Expect frequent exits and interchanges as you navigate through various parts of Ohio. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final segments of your drive.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158 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 13 significant decision points across 235.3 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 71.7 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
Wilmington is a city in Southwest Ohio. For those interested in "small town America" Wilmington is an excellent stop with a compact central city center, small college, and ornate buildings.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 235.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Wilmington, 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 34 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 — 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Wilmington, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
