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
3h 45m
Distance
202.9 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Napoleon, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This 203-mile drive from Napoleon to Youngstown, Ohio, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 45 minutes on the road, primarily using the Ohio Turnpike and I-680. With a projected fuel cost of around $31, this route is budget-friendly for a Midwest excursion. The journey is mostly highway, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll find one recommended stop along the way, and the longest stretch without a major road change is a substantial 153.3 miles on the Ohio Turnpike.
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
101.5 miles from Napoleon, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 202.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 98% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads. The main arteries for this trip are the Ohio Turnpike, US 24, and I-680, all designed for efficient travel. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 153.3 miles on the Ohio Turnpike, allowing for consistent progress. While largely a highway grind, it's a predictable and direct path through Ohio's Midwest landscape. The character of the drive is predominantly about covering distance quickly and with minimal complexity.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ohio Turnpike and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 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 21 significant decision points across 202.9 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 US 6 East, US 24 East: Maumee
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 24 toward US 24 East: Maumee, Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 475 South, US 23 South: Dayton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80, I 90 Toll: Cleveland, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Napoleon, OH and Youngstown, OH, road signs point toward Chicago and Cr 18: Youngstown.
Chicago
Cr 18: Youngstown
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Turnpike | 153.3 mi | 2h 44m |
| US 24 | 24.1 mi | 25m |
| I 680 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| I 475 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| US 23 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Scott Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Napoleon, OH and Youngstown, OH.
Start on East Clinton Street
Turn right onto US 6 Business; SR 108
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 6; US 24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 24
Take the exit
Merge onto I 475; US 23
Continue on US 23; US 20 Truck
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80; I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto 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
For this relatively short, 3-hour and 45-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits you. Aim to depart Napoleon in the morning to arrive in Youngstown with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch is over 153 miles, so plan your single recommended stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Given the highway-focused nature and the 98% highway share, keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach Youngstown. The estimated fuel cost is $31, so ensure your tank is full before you begin to maximize your time on the road.
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.
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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 1h 52m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Napoleon, 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 Napoleon, OH
This is one driving day of about 202.9 miles and 3h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.5 mi from Napoleon, OH · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 101.5 miles from Napoleon, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ohio Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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
$31.49 one way
$62.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $34.95 | $69.90 |
| premium | $4.91 | $39.21 | $78.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.80 | $89.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.66
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
$31
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.30 | $9.74 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.75 | $8.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.2 | 1 | $28.41 | $12.99 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Napoleon on Friday
Local time
11:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Youngstown on Friday
Local time
11:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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