Palmyra, OH to Youngstown, OH is 123 miles and takes about 2 hours 22 minutes via I-76, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This direct journey stays within the Midwest, specifically Ohio, making it a straightforward trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, so expect a focused drive rather than a leisurely exploration. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a duration under three hours, it's easily manageable for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Palmyra, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 123 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-76. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 57.6 miles on I-76, which means consistent speeds and minimal traffic lights. The character of the drive is largely defined by these high-speed highway segments. While the focus is on efficient travel, the direct interstate nature means you'll be navigating a familiar, albeit perhaps less varied, road environment for the majority of your journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 11 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 123 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 11 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
11 mi into trip|~14m in
Turn left toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 169
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
51.6 mi into trip|~57m 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
51.8 mi into trip|~58m 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
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
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 Palmyra, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Akron
51.6 mi in|~57m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 76
57.6 mi
1h 6m
I 71
40.2 mi
43m
I 680
5.9 mi
8m
Zolman Road
5.7 mi
6m
Riverside Drive
5.3 mi
7m
I 80
4 mi
4m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Market Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmyra, OH and Youngstown, OH.
1
Start on Gregg Road
311 ft·15 sec·Gregg Road
2
Turn right onto SR 13
5.7 mi·6 min·Zolman Road
3
Continue on SR 13; SR 97
5.3 mi·7 min·Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 169Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 71
40 mi·43 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi·43 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
4.0 mi·4 min·I 80
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 680
5.9 mi·8 min·I 680
Toward I 680: Youngstown
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
15
Turn sharp left onto Market Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Market Street
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Central Square
124 ft·2 sec·Central Square
17
Arrive at destination
Central Square
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of this 2-hour and 22-minute drive, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving anytime mid-morning should allow you to arrive well before the evening rush. Since the longest stretch without a stop is under 60 miles, you likely won't need to plan for extensive breaks, though quick stops for fuel or a stretch are always wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Youngstown; while the estimated fuel cost is $19, it's always good practice to top off before entering a city. A practical tip for this specific route: be aware of potential construction zones on I-76, which can occasionally impact travel times.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.5 miles from Palmyra, OH, or about 1h 10m 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Palmyra, 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 Palmyra, OH
This is one driving day of about 123 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Palmyra, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 61.5 mi from Palmyra, OH
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 72.1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.90
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.76
$4.92
EV Truck/SUV
49.2
0
$17.22
$7.87
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Palmyra, OH
Morning
in Palmyra on Saturday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Youngstown, OH
Morning
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
6:12 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
18 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
2h 22m 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 Palmyra, OH to Youngstown, OH covers 123 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 76, I 71, I 680. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.5 miles from Palmyra, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 123 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 11 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Palmyra, OH to Youngstown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
