Cincinnati to New Matamoras is 231.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m via James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway and SR 7, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to a more eastern part of the state. The majority of the route is on surface roads, suggesting a more scenic, less highway-focused experience. It's a manageable trip for a single day, making it a good option for a quick getaway or a direct route to your destination.
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
115.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
150 mi
3h
SR 7
22.6 mi
30m
State Route 2
10.9 mi
12m
Circle Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
US 50
7.3 mi
9m
East Bentbrook Drive
7.1 mi
9m
I 471
5.3 mi
6m
Emerson Avenue
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 150 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-275
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,555 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,176
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati, OH and New Matamoras, OH.
1
Start on Ohio Avenue
99 ft·6 sec·Ohio Avenue
2
Turn right onto West McMillan Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·West McMillan Avenue
3
Continue on East McMillan Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East McMillan Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Maplewood Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Maplewood Avenue
5
Turn left onto Kinsey Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·Kinsey Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 42
1.0 mi·2 min·Reading Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 471 South: NewportUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 471
5.3 mi·6 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 275 East: Columbus, OhioUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
11
Continue on I 275
9.5 mi·10 min·Circle Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 63A-BToward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, BataviaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 63AToward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, NewtownUse the slight left lane.
14
Turn right onto SR 32
128 mi·2 hr 34 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Toward Eastgate BoulevardUse the right lane.
15
Continue on US 50; SR 32
7.1 mi·9 min·East Bentbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 32
2.7 mi·2 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 32
19 mi·23 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; SR 32
0.6 mi·1 min·US 50; SR 32
Toward US 50 East, SR 32 East, SR 7 North: Belpre, Marietta
19
Merge onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
8.7 mi·10 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
21
Take the exit onto US 50
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 50
Toward US 50, SR 339: Parkersburg, Beverly
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
6.5 mi·8 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: ParkersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
4.7 mi·5 min·Corridor D
24
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
25
Merge onto I 77; WV 2
3.1 mi·3 min·I 77; WV 2
26
Take the exit onto WV 2
0.4 mi·47 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
27
Keep slight right at fork onto WV 2
136 ft·3 sec·WV 2
Toward WV 2 North, WV 68 South: Vienna, North Parkersburg
28
Continue on WV 2
5.0 mi·5 min·Emerson Avenue
29
Continue on WV 2
11 mi·12 min·State Route 2
30
Turn left onto Carpenter Bridge
0.7 mi·1 min·Carpenter Bridge
31
At end of road, turn left onto SR 7
13 mi·19 min·SR 7
32
Turn left onto SR 260
0.2 mi·32 sec·Broadway Street
33
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
83 ft·2 sec·Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 47m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to leave Cincinnati in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and arrive in New Matamoras with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop along the way; the 150-mile stretch on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway might be a good point to consider a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $35, and services might be more spread out on the surface road sections.
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 115.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150 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 51 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Matamoras, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 231.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Cincinnati, 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 150 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 19.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 471 South: Newport
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 471 South: Newport
8
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio
8
19.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia
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 63A-B
Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Bata...
9
19.4 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 63A
Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
7
19.5 mi into trip|~26m in|SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Turn right onto SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway toward Eastgate Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Eastgate Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.12 one way
$80.24 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$44.22
$88.45
premium
$5.43
$49.52
$99.04
diesel
$5.35
$48.82
$97.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.34
$11.13
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.28
$9.27
EV Truck/SUV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.84
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Cincinnati, OH
Evening
in Cincinnati on Wednesday
Local time
5:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 24 at 8:42PM EDT until May 24 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 24 at 8:12PM EDT until May 24 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
New Matamoras, OH
Evening
in New Matamoras on Wednesday
Local time
5:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 24 at 8:42PM EDT until May 24 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 24 at 8:12PM EDT until May 24 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
66°F
Logan, OH
116 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
4 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
4h 47m on the road
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.
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
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 87.9
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?
About 26% of this 231.8-mile route is on highways, with the remaining majority on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 150 miles on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway before transitioning to other roads like SR 7 and State Route 2. Expect to be cruising at lower speeds for a significant portion of the drive, with more frequent intersections and potentially slower traffic as you move away from the highway.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 231.8 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
999 ft620 ft
Total Climb
477 ft
Total Descent
697 ft
Highest Point
999 ft
~49.7 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cincinnati, OH and New Matamoras, OH, road signs point toward Batavia, Newtown, Marietta, Beverly and Parkersburg.
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 4h 47m. Total distance: 231.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 New Matamoras, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at New Matamoras, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
