Columbus to Burton is 163.7 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I-71, I-271, and Route 422, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest and Ohio for its entirety, offering a straightforward drive. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's ideal for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making for efficient travel between these two Ohio locations. Consider this a solid option if you're looking for a quick, no-fuss transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.9 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
I 271
25.4 mi
28m
Route 422
12.8 mi
15m
Ravenna Road
6.4 mi
9m
Kinsman Road
2 mi
3m
Cannon Road
1.7 mi
3m
East Long Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Center Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,959 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Columbus, OH and Burton, OH.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East State Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East State Street
3
Turn right onto South High Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South High Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto US 33
0.6 mi·1 min·East Long Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto SR 3
0.4 mi·1 min·Cleveland Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
197 ft·4 sec
Toward I 71, I 670 EastUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 71 North, I 670 EastUse the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
111 mi·2 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 271
25 mi·28 min·I 271
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 480
0.4 mi·28 sec·Outerbelt South Freeway
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 26AToward Rockside Road, Bedford HeightsUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto Rockside Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Rockside Road
14
Continue on Cannon Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Cannon Road
Use the straight lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto Cannon Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Cannon Road
16
Turn right onto Harper Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·Harper Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 422 East: Warren
18
Merge onto US 422
13 mi·15 min·Route 422
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 29Toward SR 44: Ravenna, Chardon
20
Turn left onto SR 44
6.4 mi·9 min·Ravenna Road
21
Turn right onto SR 87
2.0 mi·3 min·Kinsman Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on SR 87
0.5 mi·1 min·West Center Street
23
Enter roundabout onto SR 87
197 ft·6 sec·West Park Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
SR 87
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of just over 3 hours, you have flexibility with your departure. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive and still have a good portion of the day ahead. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, so plan accordingly. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 110.9 miles on I-71, so ensure you have enough fuel before starting that segment. While the route is efficient, keep an eye out for the transition from I-271 to Route 422, as this marks the end of the interstate cruising and the beginning of your approach to Burton.
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 81.9 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.9 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH
This is one driving day of about 163.7 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Columbus, 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 110.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 138.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 71, I 670 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 71, I 670 East
8
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North, I 670 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 670 East
7
1.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 480 / Outerbelt South Freeway toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 480 West: Rockside Road, Cleveland
8
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward Rockside Road, Bedford Heights
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 26A
Toward Rockside Road, Bedford Heights
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.33 one way
$56.66 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$31.23
$62.46
premium
$5.43
$34.97
$69.94
diesel
$5.35
$34.48
$68.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of May 26, 2026
Origin
Columbus, OH
Afternoon
in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 25 at 7:34PM EDT until May 26 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 25 at 7:15PM EDT until May 26 at 8:51AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Burton, OH
Afternoon
in Burton on Wednesday
Local time
3:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 25 at 7:34PM EDT until May 26 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 25 at 7:15PM EDT until May 26 at 8:51AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
83°F
Creston, OH
82 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
6 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
3h 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 129.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 91% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the trip. You'll experience a longest stretch of 110.9 miles on I-71 before transitioning to I-271 and then Route 422. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate these interstate systems. The final portion on Route 422 will likely shift to a more suburban or exurban feel as you approach Burton.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 271. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 163.7 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,314 ft772 ft
Total Climb
1,271 ft
Total Descent
728 ft
Highest Point
1,314 ft
~163.7 mi in
Elevation Range
543 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbus, OH and Burton, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland, Bedford Heights and Chardon.
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
Burton is a town in the state of Ohio. The small town, which had a population of less than 1,500 in 2010, has an unusual history. It dates back to the late 18th century but the most notable event that took place in the city was the Supreme Court case Zacchini vs. Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Co. involving an incident at the county fair.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 163.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Burton, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Burton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
