Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
276.6 mi
445 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Fredericktown, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward, highway-focused drive from Cincinnati, OH, to Fredericktown, OH, covers 276.6 miles and is estimated to take about 5 hours and 37 minutes. Designed for a single day of travel, this route keeps you primarily on major interstates, making it an efficient trip through the Midwest region. You can expect a fuel cost of around $43 for this journey. The drive is characterized by its consistent highway travel, with one significant stretch of 66.7 miles on the East Freeway, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.3 miles from Cincinnati, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Freeway | 66.7 mi | 1h 12m |
| I 71 | 63.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| Northeast Expressway | 28.8 mi | 35m |
| SR 7 | 21.8 mi | 30m |
| Cadiz Road | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| Cadiz-Piedmont Road | 16.5 mi | 22m |
| US 22 | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| Jack Nicklaus Freeway | 11.2 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati, OH and Fredericktown, OH.
Start on Ohio Avenue
Turn right onto West McMillan Avenue
Continue on East McMillan Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 123
Turn left onto SR 350
Turn left onto C-45
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit onto I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Continue on SR 723
Turn right onto US 22; US 40
Turn left onto US 22; US 40
Turn slight right onto US 22; US 40; SR 209
Turn slight left onto US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22; SR 800
Continue on US 22; US 250
Continue on US 22
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 7
Take the exit onto SR 7
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 7
Merge onto US 30; SR 7; SR 11
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 442
Turn right onto SR 170
Continue on SR 170
Continue on SR 170
Arrive at destination
Starting your 5-hour and 37-minute drive early in the morning from Cincinnati will help you avoid potential traffic. With 276.6 miles to cover, you'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the $43 estimated fuel cost. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 66.7 miles on the East Freeway, so consider a break before or after this segment. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best, but an early start is always recommended for a smoother arrival in Fredericktown.
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.
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 61 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredericktown, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, OH
This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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.
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Cincinnati, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.1 and 113.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the ramp toward I 71 North: Columbus
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the exit onto I 71 / South Freeway toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40, I 70 East: Columbus, Main Street, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Wheeling
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$42.93 one way
$85.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $47.64 | $95.29 |
| premium | $4.91 | $53.46 | $106.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.07 | $122.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83 | 1 | $29.04 | $13.28 |
| Efficient EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.20 | $11.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.6 | 1 | $38.72 | $17.70 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Cincinnati on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Fredericktown on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
70°F
West Chester, OH
138 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 276.6-mile drive, with 78% of the journey utilizing major expressways like I-71 and the Northeast Expressway. This highway-focused profile means you'll encounter consistent speeds for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 66.7 miles on the East Freeway, allowing for a steady pace. While the route is primarily high-speed, be aware that transitions between these main roads can occur, so maintain focus on the changing road conditions as you progress toward Fredericktown.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.1 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 276.6 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 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 100.2 miles (I 71 / South Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cincinnati, OH and Fredericktown, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon, Grove City and Wheeling.
Lebanon
Grove City
Wheeling
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 276.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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