Origin
Clarksfield, OH
Morning in Clarksfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarksfield, 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
2h 5m
Distance
105.5 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarksfield, OH
Hector Portillo
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clarksfield to Columbus is 105.5 miles and takes about 2h 5m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, connecting two points within Ohio. Given its relatively short length and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. Plan for this to be a simple point-to-point transit rather than a destination in itself.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Clarksfield, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 76 mi | 1h 22m |
| Park Avenue | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| SR 60 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| United States Highway 250 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 250 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US 42 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksfield, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on Zenobia Road
167 ft
·
9 sec
·
Zenobia Road
2
Turn right onto SR 18
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
SR 18
3
Continue on SR 60
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 60
4
Turn straight onto SR 60
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
Park Avenue
5
Continue on US 250; SR 60
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
United States Highway 250
6
Continue on US 250; SR 60
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Cottage Street
7
Enter roundabout onto US 250
210 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 250
8
Continue on US 250
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 250
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 42; US 250
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 42; US 250
10
Turn left onto US 250
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto I 71
76 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
Toward US 23 South
17
Turn straight onto US 23
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft
·
3 sec
·
East State Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right
88 ft
·
6 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of just over 2 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Given the $16 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry much about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Columbus, as congestion can increase during peak hours.
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 52.7 miles from Clarksfield, OH, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 42m
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 Clarksfield, 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 Clarksfield, OH
This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Clarksfield, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 76 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Clarksfield, 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 76 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 27.3 and 105.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
27.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 71
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
103.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
5
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
Northeast Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway toward US 23 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 23 South
6
105.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
East State Street
Turn right onto East State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.37 one way
$32.75 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $18.17 | $36.34 |
| premium | $4.91 | $20.39 | $40.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.29 | $46.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Columbus, OH
Morning in Columbus on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
53 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
2h 5m 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 spend most of your time on Interstate 71, with 87% of the route being highway driving. Expect a longest stretch of 76 miles on I 71 before you transition to surface roads. The initial part of the drive will feel like typical interstate cruising, but be prepared for potentially dense exits as you approach your destination in Columbus.
87% 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: 76 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Park Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.3 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 105.5 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 27.3 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 5m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76 miles on I 71. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.3 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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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