Origin
Cleveland, OH
Late night in Cleveland on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cleveland, OH to Hamilton, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
242.9 mi
391 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Hamilton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cleveland to Hamilton, Ohio, covers a distance of 242.4 miles across the heart of the Midwest. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes. Because this journey is well within the range of a single day, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budget roughly $36 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating through local streets like West 3rd Street, West Superior Avenue, and West Roadway defines the start of your journey. This route offers a straightforward regional connection for anyone looking to traverse the state efficiently.
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
121.4 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 222.5 mi | 4h 4m |
| Butler County Veterans Highway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Kings Mills Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Mason Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| High Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| US 42 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Innerbelt | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 222.5 mi, about 4h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Hamilton, OH.
1
Start on Frankfort Avenue
156 ft
·
12 sec
·
Frankfort Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
339 ft
·
16 sec
·
West 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Superior Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 6; US 20
503 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Roadway
5
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ontario Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn slight right
359 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 90 West, SR 10 West
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
8
Merge onto Innerbelt
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
Innerbelt
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 71
Exit 170B
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
132 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
82 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 25
Toward SR 741 North: Kings Mills Road, Mason
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto SR 741
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Kings Mills Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn sharp left onto US 42
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 42
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 42
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 42
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto Mason Road
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Mason Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
Mason Road
20
Continue on Mason Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mason Road
Use the left lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto Mason Road
82 ft
·
1 sec
·
Mason Road
22
Continue on Mason Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mason Road
23
Continue on Liberty Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Way
24
Turn right onto Cox Lane
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cox Lane
Use the right lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
302 ft
·
6 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
26
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
27
Continue on Butler County Veterans Highway
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Butler County Veterans Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on SR 129
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
High Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on SR 129; SR 177
228 ft
·
15 sec
·
High Street
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
SR 129; SR 177
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 54-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since you only have one planned stop on the itinerary, try to time your break for the midpoint of the trip to keep your energy levels steady. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this local route can be more fatiguing than highway driving, so prioritize staying alert through the various turns. Because you are navigating surface streets, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the specific turns on West 3rd Street and West Superior Avenue. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Hamilton with plenty of time left in your day.
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 121.4 miles from Cleveland, OH, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.5 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 16m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamilton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH
This is one driving day of about 242.9 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cleveland, 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 222.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.4 miles from Cleveland, 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 222.5 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 0.2 and 226.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
224.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward SR 741 North: Kings Mills Road, Mason
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 25
Toward SR 741 North: Kings Mills Road, Mason
7
226.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
US 42
Turn sharp left onto US 42
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.70 one way
$75.39 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $41.84 | $83.68 |
| premium | $4.91 | $46.94 | $93.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.63 | $107.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.50 | $11.66 |
| Efficient EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.25 | $9.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.01 | $15.55 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Hamilton, OH
Late night in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Dublin, OH
121 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 36m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 25.1
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 192.6
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 201
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating through local infrastructure, which requires more active attention than typical interstate travel. Since the entire trip is composed of local roads, the character of the drive remains consistent from start to finish. You should prepare for frequent turning and navigating city-based roadways as you transition between these two Ohio cities. The lack of high-speed highway stretches means you will experience a more grounded, hands-on driving environment throughout the entire 242.4-mile trek.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Butler County Veterans Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street.
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 22 significant decision points across 242.9 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Cleveland, OH to Hamilton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Mason along the way.
Mason
224.4 mi in
|
~4h 8m
About the Cities
Starting in Cleveland, OH
Full guide →Cleveland is a culturally diverse city on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Recreational, cultural and educational opportunities are abundant throughout Northeast Ohio. You'll find world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and amusement parks.
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 36m. Total distance: 242.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 222.5 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 Hamilton, 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 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hamilton, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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