Origin
Columbus, OH
Morning in Columbus on Tuesday
Local time
9:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbus, OH to Northgate, 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 2m
Distance
106.4 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Northgate, OH
Đan Thy Nguyễn Mai
Trip Overview
Columbus, OH to Northgate, OH is 106.4 miles and takes about 2h 2m via I 71 and Circle Freeway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on major highways, making it a quick connection between these two points. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.2 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 89 mi | 1h 37m |
| Circle Freeway | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Colerain Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Springdale Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Town Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Civic Center Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East State Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 89 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Northgate, 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
89 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17B
Toward I 275 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 275
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 33
Toward US 27, SR 126: Colerain Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 27; SR 126
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Colerain Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Springdale Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Springdale Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left
339 ft
·
30 sec
15
At end of road, turn left
130 ft
·
9 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under three hours and costs about $17 in fuel, you have a lot of flexibility. Aim to leave in the morning to take advantage of daylight and potentially lighter traffic. With only 106.4 miles, you don't need to plan for extensive stops; a single quick break is likely sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination, especially since the longest stretch is 89 miles on I 71, which can have fewer services compared to urban areas.
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 53.2 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.2 miles or 1h 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northgate, 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 106.4 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Columbus, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 89 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 53.2 miles from Columbus, 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 89 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 105.9 — 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.
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.
7
89.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 275 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17B
Toward I 275 West
8
105 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 27, SR 126: Colerain Avenue
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 33
Toward US 27, SR 126: Colerain Avenue
6
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
Springdale Road
Turn left onto Springdale Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.51 one way
$33.03 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $18.33 | $36.65 |
| premium | $4.91 | $20.56 | $41.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.49 | $46.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 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 | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.11 |
| Efficient EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
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
Northgate, OH
Morning in Northgate on Tuesday
Local time
9:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Wilmington, 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
2 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 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 55
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 62.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 106.4 miles on high-speed roads like I 71. You'll experience a longest stretch of 89 miles on I 71 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high number of exits and merges as you navigate this primarily highway path. The switch to Colerain Avenue will mark the end of the highway portion of your drive.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Circle Freeway. You will hit about 14 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 106.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting 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 2m. Total distance: 106.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89 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 Northgate, 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 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Northgate, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Northgate, OH
More trips to Northgate, OH
Explore more options from Columbus, OH or browse trips ending in Northgate, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.