If you are looking to travel from Brookville to Cincinnati, this 161-mile journey is best tackled as a straightforward day trip. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 54 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate through the Midwest. You will rely primarily on South Plains Road and US 33 East to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it is an affordable excursion that does not require an overnight stay. Since both the origin and destination are located within Ohio, you will remain in the Midwest region throughout the entire trip.
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
80.4 miles from Brookville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
129.4 mi
2h 35m
Circle Freeway
10 mi
11m
East Bentbrook Drive
7.1 mi
9m
I 471
5.4 mi
6m
Luhrig Road
2 mi
7m
South Plains Road
1.7 mi
2m
Ronald Reagan Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Reading Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 129.4 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookville, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on Luhrig Road
2.0 mi·7 min·Luhrig Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto SR 682
1.7 mi·2 min·South Plains Road
3
Enter roundabout onto SR 682
108 ft·3 sec·SR 682
4
Continue on SR 682
0.4 mi·46 sec·SR 682
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 33 East, US 50 West, SR 32 West: Pomeroy, Chillicothe
6
Merge onto US 33; US 50; SR 32
0.3 mi·18 sec·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; SR 32
0.7 mi·47 sec·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 50; SR 32
7.1 mi·9 min·East Bentbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 50; SR 32
128 mi·2 hr 34 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 South: Kentucky
11
Merge onto I 275
10.0 mi·11 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 74BToward I 471 North: Newport, CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 471
5.4 mi·6 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 71
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 2Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park DriveUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft·12 sec
Toward US 42 North: Reading RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto US 42
0.6 mi·1 min·Reading Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto Burnet Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Burnet Avenue
20
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
22
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave at a time that best fits your schedule. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the road. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent turning rather than sustained highway speeds. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, prioritize checking your navigation frequently to stay on track along US 33 East.
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 80.4 miles from Brookville, OH, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.4 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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 43m 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 45m
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 Brookville, 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 Brookville, OH
This is one driving day of about 160.9 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Brookville, 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 James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 129.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 159.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 33 East, US 50 West, SR 32 West: Pomeroy, Chillicothe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 33 East, US 50 West, SR 32 West: Pome...
6
4.7 mi into trip|~12m in|US 50; SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
152.9 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
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 74B
Toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
9
159 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 2
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Dri...
8
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 42 North: Reading Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.97 one way
$49.94 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$27.71
$55.43
premium
$4.91
$31.10
$62.19
diesel
$5.61
$35.52
$71.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.89
$7.72
Efficient EV
40.2
0
$14.08
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Brookville, OH
Late night
in Brookville on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Late night
in Cincinnati on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
51°F
Jasper, OH
80 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
15 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 23m 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
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 72.1
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you will be navigating local roads, there is no single long stretch of highway; in fact, the longest uninterrupted stretch on South Plains Road is 0 miles. This makes the trip feel more involved, requiring your full attention as you transition between local roads. You should prepare for a varied driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over the monotony of major freeways.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.4 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 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 14 significant decision points across 160.9 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 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (US 50; SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 160.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.4 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (US 50; SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Cincinnati, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
