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Trip from Anderson, OH to Cincinnati, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

102.7 mi

165 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 55m ★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Anderson, OH, OH

Anderson, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

city in Ohio, United States; county seat of Hamilton County

Cincinnati, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This efficient 102.7-mile drive from Anderson, OH, to Cincinnati, OH, is a straightforward 2-hour journey, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily utilizing I-71 and US-35, with a short segment on Veterans Parkway, this route is almost entirely highway, designed for steady progress. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's an economical option for those looking to travel between these two Midwest hubs. You'll find this drive offers a direct path with minimal fuss, perfect for a quick transition between cities within Ohio.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.4 miles from Anderson, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 60.8 mi 1h 9m
US 35 34 mi 36m
Veterans Parkway 1.5 mi 3m
Pleasant Valley Road 1.4 mi 3m
Anderson Station Road 1 mi 2m
Old United States Highway 35 0.9 mi 1m
William Howard Taft Road 0.7 mi 1m
Calhoun Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 60.8 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, OH and Cincinnati, OH.

1

Start on C-114

1.0 mi · 2 min · Anderson Station Road
2

At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Parkway

1.5 mi · 3 min · Veterans Parkway
3

Turn left onto C-550

1.4 mi · 3 min · Pleasant Valley Road
4

Take the ramp

274 ft · 6 sec
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
6

Merge onto US 35

34 mi · 36 min · US 35
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 72 Toward SR 435: Columbus, Cincinnati
8

Turn left onto SR 435

0.9 mi · 1 min · Old United States Highway 35
9

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 71 South: Cincinnati Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto I 71

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Exit 3A; 3B Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward Taft Road Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14

Continue on Calhoun Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Calhoun Street
15

Turn left onto Ohio Avenue

340 ft · 13 sec · Ohio Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

Ohio Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2-hour duration and 102.7-mile distance, you have considerable flexibility with departure times. Leaving Anderson, OH, in the morning will get you to Cincinnati well before midday, allowing for a full day at your destination. With no planned stops and a highway-centric profile, the main consideration is fuel; ensure you have at least a half-tank before departing to comfortably cover the longest stretch of 60.8 miles on I-71. This route is designed for minimal interruption, so plan for efficiency.

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 51.4 miles from Anderson, OH, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.8 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 23 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.4 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Anderson, 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 Anderson, OH

This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Anderson, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 60.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Clinton County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilmington, OH

51 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.

Popular next leg

Wilmington, OH to Cincinnati, OH

50.7 mi · 1h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Washington Court House, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wilmington, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.4 miles from Anderson, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.7

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15133769177

Visit website

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mason, Ohio

1 mi

Ando Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blue Ash, Ohio

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

0.5 mi

Kala Coffeehouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mason, Ohio

1.9 mi

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15133769177

Visit website

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.7

Mason, Ohio

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+15134668271

Visit website

Ando Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10 mile 88

Blue Ash, Ohio

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15139540041

Visit website

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15132217222

Visit website

Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.4

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+15135312365

Visit website

Sotto

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15138225154

Visit website

Mid City Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $30 to $50 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 5–10 pm

Visit website

Scotti's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15137219484

Visit website

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

Visit website

Kala Coffeehouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 80.7

Mason, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15133321921

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15133812141

Visit website

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15137212233

Visit website

Ludlow Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Ludlow, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+18593412928

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.7

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Planet Snoopy

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 80.7

Mason, Ohio

Hours: Closed

+15137545700

Visit website

American Sign Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 102.7

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15135416366

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 100.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Veterans Parkway

At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Parkway

Navigation decision point

6
38.4 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward SR 435: Columbus, Cincinnati

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 72 Toward SR 435: Columbus, Cincinnati
6
39.6 mi into trip | ~49m in

Turn left toward I 71 South: Cincinnati

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 71 South: Cincinnati
8
100.8 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 3A; 3B Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
7
100.9 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Taft Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward Taft Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.94 one way

$31.88 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $17.69 $35.38
premium $4.91 $19.85 $39.70
diesel $5.61 $22.67 $45.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $8.99 $4.11
EV Truck/SUV 41.1 0 $14.38 $6.57

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 17, 2026

Origin

Anderson, OH

Late night in Anderson on Sunday

Local time

4:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cincinnati, OH

Late night in Cincinnati on Sunday

Local time

4:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Partly Cloudy

S 7 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:45AM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:45AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

52°F

Wilmington, OH

51 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

13 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 4m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Monument

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 53.1
View on nps.gov
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this trip, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 102.7 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.8 miles on I-71, allowing for consistent travel without frequent exits. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency and steady movement rather than winding scenic byways. The character remains consistent, prioritizing direct travel over exploring varied terrain.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.8 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Veterans Parkway.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 102.7 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 miles (Veterans Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Cincinnati, OH

Full guide →

Founded 1788

Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America. Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.

Top landmarks

  • • Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
  • • Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
  • • Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cincinnati, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Veterans Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cincinnati, OH before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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