Spanning 103.7 miles across the Ohio Midwest, this drive connects Camden to Columbus in approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. With a modest fuel budget of around $15, the route is as economical as it is efficient. Navigating through local roads and sections of I-70 East, I-670 East, and US 23, the trek offers a direct path between these two points. If you are looking for a practical, low-stress transition from the smaller community of Camden to the state capital, this itinerary provides exactly that. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a quick, focused transit over a long-haul journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.9 miles from Camden, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
85.5 mi
1h 33m
US 127
14.7 mi
23m
I 670
3.6 mi
4m
North Third Street
0.9 mi
2m
East Central Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
East State Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 85.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on SR 725
0.2 mi·28 sec·East Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 127
15 mi·23 min·US 127
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 70 East: Columbus
4
Merge onto I 70
15 mi·16 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
21 mi·23 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
3.6 mi·4 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 4A–BToward US 23: Third Street, Fourth StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 4AToward US 23 South: Third Street
10
Turn straight onto US 23
0.9 mi·2 min·North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft·3 sec·East State Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Without the need for scheduled stops or long-distance pacing, you can complete the 1 hour and 46 minute drive in one go. Keep your $15 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a trip that prioritizes local roads over heavy highway driving. Because the route is turn-heavy, double-check your GPS navigation before leaving Camden to avoid missing any key transitions on the local road network. Embracing this direct, efficient path allows you to reach Columbus quickly without the typical fatigue associated with longer road trips.
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 52.9 miles from Camden, OH, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.5 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 1h 6m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camden, 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 Camden, OH
This is one driving day of about 105.7 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Camden, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 85.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.7 and 104.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
30.7 mi into trip|~41m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
100.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
104.5 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
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 4A–B
Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
7
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 23 South: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4A
Toward US 23 South: Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.40 one way
$32.81 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$18.21
$36.41
premium
$4.91
$20.43
$40.86
diesel
$5.61
$23.34
$46.67
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: 37 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.10
$5.07
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.25
$4.23
EV Truck/SUV
42.3
0
$14.80
$6.76
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Camden, OH
Morning
in Camden on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, OH
Morning
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 51.1
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 experience as you navigate the local roads that define this 103.7-mile journey. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires your active attention because it lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches. You will transition through a mix of surface streets and segments of I-70 East, I-670 East, and US 23, though the highway share is notably low. Because there is effectively zero distance spent on a single sustained interstate stretch, the drive feels more like a series of connected local segments. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the constant turns demand a bit more engagement than your typical high-speed cruise.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.5 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and US 127. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.7 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 105.7 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 30.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Columbus is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state as the core of the Greater Columbus area. Sited in an area where the Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Farm Belt meet, Columbus is a fusion of many different parts of America. It is the home of the Ohio State University. The combination of Ohio Government and the Ohio State University has fueled amazing growth both financially and physically in Columbus. It has created a business and research environment that has provided substantial employment opportunities to the diverse ethnic and local graduates of the Ohio State University, and other academic institutions in Columbus. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), is projected to be one of the top 50 supercomputers in the world and among the top 10 supercomputing academic centers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 105.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.5 miles on I 70. 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 Columbus, 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 30.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. 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 Columbus, OH before heading back.
