Origin
Carey, OH
Afternoon in Carey on Tuesday
Local time
12:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carey, OH to Columbus, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
84.8 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carey, OH
TBD Tuyên
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 84.8-mile drive from Carey, OH, to Columbus, OH, takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes and is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on US 23 and I-71, with a brief section of State Route 37 East, making it a highway-focused journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route offers an economical way to travel between two points within the Midwest. The drive is efficient, with 94% of it on highways, and it's designed for smooth progress, so you won't need to break it up with an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Carey, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 52.7 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 71 | 20.2 mi | 22m |
| State Route 37 East | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| South Vance Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Sunbury Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Third Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| East William Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 52.7 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carey, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on SR 103; SR 199
70 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Findlay Street
2
Turn left onto US 23; SR 103
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Vance Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 23
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 115
Toward SR 37
5
Turn left onto SR 37
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Central Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 42
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Lake Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 36; SR 521
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
East William Street
8
Continue on US 36; SR 37; SR 521
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Road
9
Continue on US 36; SR 37
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 37 East
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
11
Merge onto I 71
20 mi
·
22 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
Toward US 23 South
16
Turn straight onto US 23
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft
·
3 sec
·
East State Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right
88 ft
·
6 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 44-minute duration for this 84.8-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Columbus. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Carey. Since the longest stretch on US 23 is over 50 miles, plan for a brief stop either before or after this segment if you anticipate needing a break. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition onto State Route 37 East, as it's a key point before reaching your destination.
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 42.4 miles from Carey, OH, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 51m 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 28m
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 Carey, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carey, OH
This is one driving day of about 84.8 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Carey, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 52.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.4 miles from Carey, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 84.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 23
Take the ramp onto US 23
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward SR 37
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 115
Toward SR 37
8
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
7
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
6
84.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
East State Street
Turn right onto East State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.16 one way
$26.32 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $14.61 | $29.21 |
| premium | $4.91 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.72 | $37.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.90 | $4.07 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.87 | $5.43 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Columbus, OH
Afternoon in Columbus on Tuesday
Local time
12:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Delaware, OH
42 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
3 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
1h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 94% of the 84.8 miles on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 52.7 miles on US 23, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While much of the drive will be on interstates, the inclusion of US 23 and State Route 37 East offers some variation in the road's feel. This route is designed for direct travel, minimizing complex turns and maximizing forward momentum.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.7 mi on US 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near US 23.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (US 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Columbus, OH
Full guide →Founded 1812
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.
Top landmarks
- • Ohio Stadium — stadium in Columbus, Ohio, USA
- • Columbus Museum of Art — Museum in Columbus, Ohio, United States
- • Wexner Center for the Arts — center at Ohio State University
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 84.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.7 miles on US 23. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (US 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbus, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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