Athens, OH Road Trips
Drivers starting from Athens, OH have 5 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 74-mile quick runs to 220-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Athens, OH head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
11
Longest Drive
220.4 mi
Toledo, OH
Quickest Drive
1h 33m
Columbus, OH
Plan Around Athens, OH
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Athens, OH is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Athens, OH
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Athens, OH
Driving from Athens, OH
On average, trips departing from Athens, OH run 150 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 220 miles (4h 26m), while the shortest is just 74 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Athens, OH are Toledo, OH (220.4 mi, 4h 26m), Hamilton, OH (167.1 mi, 3h 18m), Dayton, OH (145 mi, 2h 50m), Kettering, OH (144 mi, 2h 53m), and Columbus, OH (74 mi, 1h 33m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in OH currently averages around $3.71 per gallon. For the typical 150-mile trip from Athens, OH, budget about $22 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Athens, OH and 6 routes heading into Athens, OH, covering 11 total connections. Distances range from 74 to 220 miles.
The longest mapped route from Athens, OH covers 220 miles and takes approximately 4h 26m. Shorter options start at just 74 miles.
The average route from Athens, OH runs about 150 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.71/gallon for regular), the average 150-mile trip from Athens, OH costs roughly $22 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Athens, OH include Toledo, OH, Hamilton, OH, Dayton, OH and Kettering, OH. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Athens, OH by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
23,211
Median Income
$37,059
Median Home Value
$242,200
Median Age
21.8
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Athens, OH
Athens is a city with a major university (population 26,000 -2010) and county seat of Athens County (population 68,000 2010 Southeast Ohio, best known for being home to over 29,000 Ohio University students. Athens was settled in 1797, and the university was the first to be founded in the Northwest Territory in 1803.
1 Ohio University. Ohio University School of Theatre, 307 Kantner Hall, ☏ +1 740-593-4818, [email protected]. Features six mainstage productions a year as well as a series of Lab Shows (updated Dec 2018) The Seabury Quinn, Jr. Playwrights' Festival. Graduate playwrights' festival held each year, usually at the end of May. Features readings, staged readings, and full productions of graduate work. (updated Dec 2018) Midnight Madness (The Hahne Theater, School of Theatre Building). Every Friday at midnight. Each week the graduate playwrights write a ten minute play based on a theme they receive that Monday. (updated Dec 2018) Lost Flamingo Company. Ohio University's student run theatre company. Features nine to twelve productions a year, as well as yearly productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Fall Quarter), The Vagina Monologues (Winter Quarter), and Short Stack, a collection of ten minute plays written by Ohio University students (Spring Quarter). (updated Dec 2018) Comedy for the Masses. Ohio University's student sketch comedy group. Features six shows a year, as well as an annual Stand-Up Showcase. Founded in 2001, in part by Michael Busch (An actor who worked on Conan and Glee). (updated Dec 2018) The 48-Hour Shoot Out. An annual competition sponsored by the School of Telecommunications in which students are given two days to write, film, and edit a short movie based on a line of dialogue, a prop, and a genre. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Athena Cinema. (updated Dec 2018)
1 Wayne National Forest. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Athens Skate Park, 701 East State Street, ☏ +1 740 592-3325, [email protected]. Open dawn to dusk. 18,000 ft² (1,700 m2) skate park. Skateboards and inline skates only. Free. 3 Athens County Fair, ☏ +1 740-592-1991. Has a tractor pull, demolition derby, and a livestock showcase. (updated Nov 2018) Pawpaw Festival. A festival dedicated to the PawPaw, a fruit native to Ohio. (updated Dec 2018) Ohio Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I-A College Athletics. (updated Dec 2018) 4 Ohio University Golf Course, 106 South Green Dr, ☏ +1-740-593-4669. (updated Jul 2022) 5 Peden Stadium. The football stadium for the Bobcats. (updated Dec 2018) 6 Ossian C. Bird Arena. The Ohio University Ice Arena. (updated Dec 2018) 7 Ohio University Aquatic Center. Hosts the Bobcats swim team and regional swim meets. (updated Dec 2018) 8 Bob Wren Stadium, 140 S. Shafer St. The Ohio University baseball stadium. (updated Jul 2022) 9 Pruitt Field. Pruitt Field hosts the Bobcats Field Hockey team. It is surrounded by the Goldsberry Track for the Bobcats track teams. (updated Dec 2018) 10 Convocation Center. The basketball arena for Ohio University. A distinctive building in its own right, its dome is a good landmark. (updated Dec 2018)
Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St. Great "Mexican" (non-authentic) food, vegan and vegetarian options, dedicated to using local resources. Restaurant has been worker-owned since 1984. China Panda, 965 E. State St, ☏ +1 740 593-8883. 11AM-10PM. Sitdown & takeout. Excellent American Chinese cuisine (includes General Tso's Chicken and California Rolls.) O'Betty's Red Hot, 15 W. State St, ☏ +1-740-589-6111, [email protected]. Burlesque-themed hot dog joint. HangOverEasy, 18 N. Court St. Greasy spoon diner. Avalanche Pizza, 329 E. State St, ☏ +1-740-594-4664. Cheap, internationally award winning pizza. Insanely great deals (especially if you pick-up rather than get delivery) and an obscene amount of topping choices and specialty pizzas. Bagel Street Deli, 23 S. Court St, ☏ +1-740-593-3838, [email protected]. Charming deli featuring nearly 200 different bagel sandwiches and other fares, ranging from vegan to ultra-carnivore. Walls are decorated with tin foil sculptures and chalk signatures of past customers. Home of the annual Pickle Fest (pickle eating contest). Donkey Coffee, 1/2 W. Washington St, ☏ +1-740-594-7353, [email protected]. 17 rated best coffeehouse in the state by Ohio Magazine. Features calming music, great coffee, board games, open mic nights, poetry nights, local art, and is open 24 hours during finals week. Souvlaki's Restaurant and Deli, 9 W. State St. Late night gyros and baklava. Big Mamma's Burritos, 10 S. Court St, ☏ +1-740-566-4100. A local option for those who loathe Chipotle. Many burrito and salsa options.
There are many bars on Court Street located near Ohio University's College Green. 1 Union Bar & Grill, 18 W Union St, ☏ +1 740-593-5060. Voted one of the best dive bars in America by Maxim Magazine. Features $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon, live indie rock of varying volumes, and Dance or Die, a monthly dance party. They shut down the grille, and the roaches left in protest. (updated Aug 2017) 2 The Pub, 39 N Court St, ☏ +1 740-592-2699. Well known for their Beer Cheese Soup, Aquarium Night (beer in obscenely huge glasses), and for being massively packed during the weekend. (updated Aug 2017) Pigskin Bar and Grill, 38 N. Court St, ☏ +1-740-594-5002. Very well known for their signature drink The Black Widow, a one of a kind dark purple concoction that is a must have for any visitor to Athens. (updated Dec 2018) Red Brick Sports Pub, 14 N Court St. Many flat screen TVs and a pretty decent menu. (updated Dec 2018) Tony's Tavern, 7 W. State St. Considered a "townie bar." Tony's is very well known for their 'Hot Nuts' shot. Daily specials on Killian's and a very laid-back, friendly dive bar atmosphere. Be there on Friday night for Tony's happy hour (free food!). Casa Nueva & Cantina, 4 W. State St, ☏ +1-740-592-2016, [email protected]. Great food, warm and friendly bar. The nation's oldest co-op restaurant. 3 The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St, ☏ +1 740-589-2474. Known as Athens' biker bar. Great jukebox ranging from Johnny Cash to Dylan to The Clash. Open 365 days a year. Very reasonable drinks and nearly guaranteed to be free of frat and sorority types.
Burr Oak State Park Lodge. 1 Ohio University Inn & Conference Center, 331 Richland Ave, ☏ +1 866-593-6661. (updated Aug 2017)
1 John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH IATA) (take US-33, approximately 70 mi (110 km), from Columbus.). (updated Jul 2022) 2 Gordon K. Bush Airport (ATO IATA Snyder Field), 747 Columbia Rd, ☏ +1 740-597-2600. A General aviation airport operated by Ohio University. (updated Dec 2018) SR 33 and SR 50 intersect at Athens. GoBus. Provides intercity between smaller cities in western Ohio, Cincinnati and Columbus. Greyhound with partner companies serves the city with several daily departures from nearby larger cities. Many local taxi companies in Athens also offer shuttle service. Long distance buses stops at 3 Athens Community Centre station and 4 Athens - Ohio University station. It is possible to change to local buses at both stations. (updated Jul 2022)
Athens is a small town that can be easily traversed by foot. There are many different taxi companies servicing Athens, all with easy numbers to remember. RIDE, ☏ +1-740-594-7433. Has been servicing Athens for over 10 years. The types of car include 2007-2008 Aveos and Limos. Great service. (updated Jul 2022) GOTO, ☏ +1-740-594-4686. Fast service, but GOTO only has mini-vans, which are in very poor condition. (updated Jul 2022) Athens Transit. Provides a small bus network with departures every 30 minutes, buses does not run on Sundays. A single fare is $1. (updated Jul 2022)
Travel tips adapted from Athens (Ohio) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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