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...
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
149.1 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashley, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 149.1-mile drive from Ashley to Youngstown, Ohio, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes. You'll spend 94% of your time on highways, making it a focused journey across the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, this route is an economical option for a quick trip. While there's only one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a major exit is 68.6 miles, so plan accordingly. This drive is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency over leisurely sightseeing.
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
74.6 miles from Ashley, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 149.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 149.1-mile trip. You'll be on interstates for 94% of the journey, which means consistent speeds and limited local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 68.6 miles on I-71, offering a period of steady driving. The primary arteries you'll navigate are I-71 and I-76, leading you directly towards Youngstown. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency and straightforward navigation, rather than winding scenic byways.
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 8.8 miles in.
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 149.1 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 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward Cleveland
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashley, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
Akron
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 68.6 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 76 | 57.6 mi | 1h 6m |
| East High Street | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| I 680 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 4 mi | 4m |
| State Route 61 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Market Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ashley, OH and Youngstown, OH.
Start on SR 229
Turn right onto SR 61
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 76; US 224
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
Continue on I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
Take the exit
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour, 54-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Youngstown or to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the city. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly excursion. The longest stretch on I-71 is nearly 70 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment. While only one stop is suggested, pay attention to highway signage for available services along I-76 as you get closer to your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 25m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ashley, 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 Ashley, OH
This is one driving day of about 149.1 miles and 2h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.6 mi from Ashley, OH · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Ashley, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 miles.
The final approach into Youngstown, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Youngstown, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
Regular Gas
$23.14 one way
$46.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $25.68 | $51.36 |
| premium | $4.91 | $28.82 | $57.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.66 | $7.16 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.05 | $5.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.87 | $9.54 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Ashley on Friday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Youngstown on Friday
Local time
7:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
49°F
Medina, OH
75 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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