This 148.5-mile drive from Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH will take you about 3 hours and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing I-76 and I-71, with a segment on Harding Highway East, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route is budget-friendly for a single day of travel. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads, efficiently covering the distance. You can comfortably complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
74.3 miles from Marion, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 82% of this route. You'll encounter stretches primarily on I-76, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 57.6 miles. While predominantly interstate, there's a portion on Harding Highway East that might offer a slight change in pace. The character is one of consistent forward motion, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely exploration. You'll be on the main arteries for the bulk of the trip, experiencing a typical Midwestern highway environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 76 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 148.5 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 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.5 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
77.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
6
95.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
97.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Akron
6
98.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 76; I 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Akron
77.2 mi in|~1h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 71
31.9 mi
34m
Harding Highway East
21.5 mi
33m
US 30
20.3 mi
23m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
I 80
4 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
East Center Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on SR 95; SR 309; SR 739
94 ft·9 sec·East Center Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
509 ft·21 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 95; SR 309
0.5 mi·53 sec·East Church Street
4
Turn left onto SR 309
475 ft·9 sec·Sargent Street
5
Turn slight right onto SR 309
1.3 mi·2 min·East Center Street
6
Continue on SR 309
22 mi·33 min·Harding Highway East
7
Continue on SR 598
0.1 mi·14 sec·State Route 598
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 30 East: Mansfield
9
Merge onto US 30
20 mi·23 min·US 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 176Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
11
Merge onto I 71
32 mi·34 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
21
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
23
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you can easily tackle this trip in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination or upon arrival in Youngstown. With only one major stretch of 57.6 miles on I-76 without a planned stop, be mindful of fuel levels before embarking. The $23 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a bit extra. This route's efficiency means you can be flexible with departure times and any brief stops you might need along the way.
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 74.3 miles from Marion, OH, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 33 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marion, 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 Marion, OH
This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Marion, 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 76 for about 57.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.3 mi from Marion, OH
· 1h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 74.3 miles from Marion, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Youngstown, OH
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.
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 97.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.05 one way
$46.09 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.58
$51.16
premium
$4.91
$28.70
$57.40
diesel
$5.61
$32.79
$65.57
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 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
44.6
0
$15.59
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marion, OH
Late night
in Marion on Friday
Local time
1:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Late night
in Youngstown on Friday
Local time
1:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
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
3h 2m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH covers 148.5 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 76, I 71, Harding Highway East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.3 miles from Marion, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 148.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.5 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Marion, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
