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Trip from Columbus, OH to Hillsboro, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 35m

Distance

65.7 mi

106 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 28m ★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Highland County, Ohio, United States

Hillsboro, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Columbus, OH to Hillsboro, OH is 65.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via Leesburg Avenue, I-71, and State Route 3, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, connecting two points in Ohio. Expect a mixed driving experience, transitioning from highway speeds to more local roads as you approach your destination. It's a straightforward, relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. Plan for a brief, efficient trip without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

32.8 miles from Columbus, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Leesburg Avenue 25.5 mi 38m
I 71 12.3 mi 14m
State Route 3 12.2 mi 18m
Harrisburg Pike 10 mi 14m
Columbus Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
Columbus-Washington C H Road 1.3 mi 1m
East Main Street 1.1 mi 1m
East Court Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Leesburg Avenue — 25.5 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Hillsboro, OH.

1

Start on this road

77 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto East State Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East State Street
3

Turn left onto South High Street

494 ft · 20 sec · South High Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto West Town Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Town Street
5

At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Civic Center Drive
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on South 2nd Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
8

Merge onto I 71

12 mi · 14 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 94 Toward US 62, SR 3: Harrisburg
10

Turn left onto US 62; SR 3

10.0 mi · 14 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 62; SR 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
12

Turn straight onto US 62; SR 3

1.3 mi · 1 min · Columbus-Washington C H Road
13

Continue on US 62; SR 3

12 mi · 18 min · State Route 3
14

Continue on US 62; SR 3

0.9 mi · 1 min · Columbus Avenue
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 62; SR 3

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Columbus Avenue
16

Continue on US 22; US 62; SR 3

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Court Street
17

Turn slight left onto US 62

26 mi · 38 min · Leesburg Avenue
18

Arrive at destination

US 62; SR 138

Trip Plan

Given this route is just 1 hour and 35 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. Leaving in the morning allows ample time for any unexpected delays or to simply enjoy the drive without rushing. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the interstate, as services might be more spread out on State Route 3. The longest stretch on Leesburg Avenue is over 25 miles, so be prepared for that segment before or after any highway driving. For a drive this short, a single fuel stop should be more than sufficient.

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 32.8 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.5 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 14 miles or 18m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 32.8 miles or 45m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Columbus, OH

This is one driving day of about 65.7 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Columbus, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Leesburg Avenue for about 25.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Fayette County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington Court House, OH

33 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

Grove City, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington Court House, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.8 miles from Columbus, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16142245461

Visit website

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.4 mi

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbus, Ohio

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.4 mi

Transcend Coffee + Roastery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grove City, Ohio

2.1 mi

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16142245461

Visit website

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16148675008

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16146213287

Visit website

The Eagle | Short North

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16147453397

Visit website

Star Kitchen Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16145250573

Visit website

Buckeye Food Stop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Grandview Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16147251077

Visit website

Varsity Club Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16142996269

Visit website

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Transcend Coffee + Roastery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.4

Grove City, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16149910911

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+16142025197

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 13.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South High Street

Turn left onto South High Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Town Street

Turn right onto West Town Street

Navigation decision point

7
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Civic Center Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 71

Merge onto I 71

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
13.1 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward US 62, SR 3: Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 94 Toward US 62, SR 3: Harrisburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.20 one way

$20.39 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $11.32 $22.63
premium $4.91 $12.70 $25.40
diesel $5.61 $14.51 $29.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.7 0 $6.90 $3.15
Efficient EV 16.4 0 $5.75 $2.63
EV Truck/SUV 26.3 0 $9.20 $4.20

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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 Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Rain Showers Likely

NW 7 to 14 mph 66% chance Live forecast

Destination

Hillsboro, OH

Late night in Hillsboro on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

12 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

1h 35m 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.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 45.3
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 43
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

About 37% of this 65.7-mile drive is on the highway, meaning you'll experience a mix of speeds. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 25.5 miles on Leesburg Avenue, suggesting a significant portion of your travel will be on a surface road before or after highway segments. The transition from I-71 to State Route 3 will likely involve a noticeable change in scenery and traffic patterns, moving from faster interstate travel to more local cruising.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.5 mi on Leesburg Avenue.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South High Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (West Town Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Columbus, OH

Full guide →

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.

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 35m. Total distance: 65.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 25.5 miles on Leesburg Avenue. 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 Hillsboro, 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 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (West Town Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hillsboro, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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