Origin
Cincinnati, OH
Late night in Cincinnati on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cincinnati, OH to Paxton, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
223.8 mi
360 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Paxton, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Trip Overview
Cincinnati, OH to Paxton, OH is 223.8 miles and takes about 4h 24m via West McMillan Avenue/East McMillan Street/Northeast Expressway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, exclusively within Ohio. Given its profile of mostly surface roads and a relatively short duration, this is a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time navigating local streets and expressways rather than high-speed interstates, making it a good option if you prefer a more connected-to-the-ground experience and want to avoid the monotony of long highway stretches.
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
111.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 170.6 mi | 3h 6m |
| Northeast Expressway | 28.8 mi | 35m |
| I 76 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| SR 350 | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| State Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Middleboro Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Sharon Copley Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Innerbelt | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 170.6 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 158 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,106 veh/hr typical · worst 2,829
Quietest
2 AM
~233 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Paxton, 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
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East McMillan Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 71
29 mi
·
35 min
·
Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto SR 123
515 ft
·
12 sec
·
SR 123
8
Turn left onto SR 350
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
SR 350
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto C-45
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Middleboro Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto SR 350 Truck; C-7
336 ft
·
10 sec
·
Wilmington Road
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
12
Merge onto I 71
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 71
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 70; I 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Innerbelt
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 71
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
100 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 76; US 224
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 9
Toward SR 94: North Royalton, Wadsworth
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 94
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
22
Turn right onto CR 123
250 ft
·
9 sec
·
Reimer Road
23
Turn left onto State Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Road
24
Turn right onto SR 162
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sharon Copley Road
25
Arrive at destination
SR 162
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of around 4 hours and 24 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays and to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. Since you'll be on surface roads for the entire 223.8 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you pass through more populated areas where fuel stops might be more frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so budget accordingly. The single stop indicated suggests a brief pause might be all you need, but feel free to add more if needed given the flexibility of a non-highway route.
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 111.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.6 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 49 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paxton, 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 223.8 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 I 71 for about 170.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.9 miles from Cincinnati, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.6 miles.
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 30.1 and 218.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
30.1 mi into trip
|
~38m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 32
Toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
8
107.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 101A
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
209 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
209.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
8
218.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward SR 94: North Royalton, Wadsworth
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 9
Toward SR 94: North Royalton, Wadsworth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.37 one way
$68.74 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
| premium | $4.98 | $43.90 | $87.79 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $49.33 | $98.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.50 | $10.74 |
| Efficient EV | 56 | 0 | $19.58 | $8.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.5 | 1 | $31.33 | $14.32 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Paxton, OH
Late night in Paxton on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
2 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
4h 24m 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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 54
View on nps.gov
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 223.8
View on nps.gov
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 46.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 223.8 miles. The longest stretch is not specified, but expect consistent engagement with local traffic and signal lights. The profile is described as 'mostly surface roads,' so be prepared for frequent intersections and varying speed limits. You'll likely notice a dense network of exits and entrances as you navigate through towns and cities.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Northeast Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 223.8 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 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.6 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209 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
1,298 ft
854 ft
Total Climb
662 ft
Total Descent
481 ft
Highest Point
1,298 ft
~159.9 mi in
Elevation Range
445 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Paxton, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon, Wheeling and Akron.
Lebanon
30.1 mi in
|
~38m
Wheeling
105.9 mi in
|
~2h 8m
|
via I 71
Akron
209 mi in
|
~4h 1m
About the Cities
Starting in Cincinnati, OH
Full guide →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
- • 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
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 223.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.6 miles on I 71. 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 Paxton, 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 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.6 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Paxton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Paxton, OH
Explore more options from Cincinnati, OH or browse trips ending in Paxton, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.