If you are planning to travel from Columbus to Leavittsburg, expect a straightforward 168.5-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 12 minutes. This trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, making it an efficient option for those looking to cross Ohio quickly. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $25, keeping the travel costs quite manageable. Since both locations are situated within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. Because of the manageable duration, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule requires extra flexibility. Overall, this is a practical route for commuters or travelers who value a direct path between these two points.
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
84.2 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
Ohio Turnpike
35.5 mi
38m
I 271
9.9 mi
10m
SR 5
3.9 mi
5m
I 77
1.5 mi
1m
North Leavitt Road
0.7 mi
1m
Brecksville Road
0.6 mi
1m
East Long Street
0.6 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 Leavittsburg, 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
9.9 mi·10 min·I 271
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward I 77 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 77; SR 21
1.5 mi·1 min·I 77; SR 21
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 145Toward SR 21: Brecksville RoadUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto SR 21
0.6 mi·1 min·Brecksville Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 80: Ohio Turnpike
16
Continue on this road
397 ft·9 sec·this road
17
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 80 East: YoungstownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 80
36 mi·38 min·Ohio Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 209Toward SR 5Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
22
Turn straight
0.2 mi·25 sec
23
Continue on SR 5
3.9 mi·5 min·SR 5
24
Take the exit
497 ft·12 sec
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
26
Turn straight onto West Market Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Market Street
27
Turn left onto North Leavitt Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Leavitt Road
28
Turn right onto Caleb Road
48 ft·2 sec·Caleb Road
29
Arrive at destination
Caleb Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 12-minute trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods on the major interstates. Since the route is relatively short, you only need to plan for about one stop to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep in mind that with 96% of your journey on highways, your fuel consumption will be steady, so topping off your tank before hitting I-71 is a smart move. Because the longest stretch is over 110 miles, use that time to settle into a comfortable cruising speed, but remain alert for merging traffic at the highway transitions. Embracing the efficiency of this route gives you plenty of flexibility to reach your destination in Leavittsburg without feeling rushed.
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 84.2 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 1h 35m 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavittsburg, 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 168.5 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 126.9 — 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
7
123 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward I 77 North: Cleveland
8
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Youngstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Youngstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.89 one way
$51.78 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$29.20
$58.40
premium
$4.99
$33.08
$66.17
diesel
$4.80
$31.82
$63.63
Estimated Tolls: $1.78
Ohio Turnpike
(35.5 mi)$1.78
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Streetsboro, Ohio
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Macedonia, Ohio
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Streetsboro, Ohio
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
AmpUp Charging Station
Garrettsville, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Streetsboro, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Shell Recharge Charging Station
Peninsula, Ohio
Shell Recharge
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Peninsula, Ohio
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Chevrolet Charging Station
Warren, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 4
Other: 4
Tesla Destination: 2
Tesla: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.6
0
$17.69
$8.09
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.59
$10.78
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Columbus, OH
Late night
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
3:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Smoke
NW 8 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Leavittsburg, OH
Late night
in Leavittsburg on Sunday
Local time
3:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Smoke
NW 6 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
7 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 12m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 127.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 96% of your time spent on major interstates including I-71, the Ohio Turnpike, and I-271. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace as you navigate these primary arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 110.9 miles on I-71, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because you are primarily utilizing major infrastructure, the experience is less about technical maneuvering and more about steady, efficient highway travel. Expect a predictable, fast-moving environment that allows you to cover the distance without the frequent stops associated with smaller local roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Ohio Turnpike. 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 168.5 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 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 168.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
Expect about $1.78 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Leavittsburg, 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 24 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 Leavittsburg, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
