TA
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Trip from Cincinnati, OH to Staunton, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
79.6 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Staunton, OH
Doğan Alpaslan Demir
Trip Overview
Cincinnati to Staunton is 79.6 miles and takes about 1h 42m via Northeast Expressway and I 71, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that covers less than 100 miles, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a short hop. The route is largely on the highway, so expect a fairly direct and efficient journey. Consider this if you need to get between these two areas without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.8 miles from Cincinnati, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Expressway | 28.8 mi | 35m |
| I 71 | 28 mi | 30m |
| US 35 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| SR 350 | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Leesburg Avenue | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Middleboro Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| East McMillan Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Old United States Highway 35 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Northeast Expressway
— 28.8 mi, about 35m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,351 veh/hr typical · worst 3,009
Quietest
2 AM
~244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
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 Staunton, 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
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 71
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 65
Toward SR 435: Washington Court House
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto SR 435
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Old United States Highway 35
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward US 35 East: Washington Court House
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto US 35
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
US 35
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 22, US 62, SR 3: Washinton CH, Hillsboro
18
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
19
Turn right onto US 62
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Leesburg Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
US 62
Trip Plan
Given this route takes just over an hour and a half, it's easily doable in a single day. You could leave Cincinnati in the morning and arrive in Staunton by lunchtime, or depart in the afternoon and still have plenty of daylight. Since it's a shorter drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. There are no specified stops in the data, so plan your own break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point or where the highway portion ends. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $12 for the 79.6 miles.
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 39.8 miles from Cincinnati, OH, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.8 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.8 miles or 56m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staunton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cincinnati, OH
This is one driving day of about 79.6 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Cincinnati, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Northeast Expressway for about 28.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.8 miles from Cincinnati, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Northbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Southbound Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Dupre Roadside Park
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 65.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
6
36.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the ramp toward I 71 North: Columbus
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
7
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward SR 435: Washington Court House
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward SR 435: Washington Court House
6
65.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 35 East: Washington Court House
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 35 East: Washington Court House
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.23 one way
$24.45 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.79 | $27.58 |
| premium | $4.98 | $15.61 | $31.23 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $17.55 | $35.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.97 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.14 | $5.09 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Origin
Cincinnati, OH
Night in Cincinnati on Friday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staunton, OH
Night in Staunton on Friday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Goshen, OH
40 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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?
You'll be on the highway for about 89% of this 79.6-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 28.8 miles on the Northeast Expressway. After that, the route transitions to US 35, where you'll encounter more surface road driving with potential for traffic signals and varied speed limits. Expect a good amount of merging and exiting as you navigate the highway sections.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.8 mi on Northeast Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northeast Expressway and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 miles: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,067 ft
575 ft
Total Climb
566 ft
Total Descent
447 ft
Highest Point
1,067 ft
~62.6 mi in
Elevation Range
491 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 Staunton, OH, road signs point toward Lebanon and Hillsboro.
Lebanon
30.1 mi in
|
~38m
Hillsboro
75.5 mi in
|
~1h 35m
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 1h 42m. Total distance: 79.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.8 miles on Northeast Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Staunton, 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 miles: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Staunton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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