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Trip from Columbus, OH to Oakwood, OH

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

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

136.9 mi

220 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m

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

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Oakwood, OH, OH

Oakwood, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Trip Overview

This 136.9-mile drive from Columbus, OH, to Oakwood, OH, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 2 hours and 34 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, it's an efficient trip, perfect for a single day. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or an errand run within the Midwest region. You'll primarily navigate I-71 and I-271, with a brief section on East Long Street. This route is best suited for travelers seeking a direct path rather than a leisurely exploration.

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

68.4 miles from Columbus, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 110.9 mi 2h
I 271 21.7 mi 23m
East Long Street 0.6 mi 1m
I 480 0.6 mi <1m
Broadway Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Cleveland Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
South High Street 0.3 mi 1m
East State Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 110.9 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Oakwood, 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 East Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 71 North, I 670 East Use the slight left lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland Use 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

22 mi · 23 min · I 271
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 21 Toward I 480 West, SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forbes Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 480; SR 14

0.6 mi · 42 sec · I 480; SR 14
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Exit 23 Toward SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forbes Road Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on SR 14

514 ft · 23 sec · Fair Oaks Road
15

Turn sharp right onto Broadway Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto Tryon Road

73 ft · 2 sec · Tryon Road
17

Arrive at destination

Tryon Road

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 34-minute duration, this drive is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one stop recommended, you can easily manage your breaks. The estimated fuel cost of $21 means you won't need to budget heavily for gas. Keep an eye on I-71, as it forms the longest stretch of your journey at 110.9 miles; ensure you're fueled up before embarking on this significant segment. This route is all about efficiency, so planning your timing to avoid peak traffic on I-71 and I-271 will maximize your travel time.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.4 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 1h 18m 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 30 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.4 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakwood, 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 136.9 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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.

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

68 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

Berkshire, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.4 miles from Columbus, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.9 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 136 — 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
134.8 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward I 480 West, SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forbes Road

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 21 Toward I 480 West, SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forb...
8
136 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forbes Road

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 23 Toward SR 14: Broadway Avenue, Forbes Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.25 one way

$42.49 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $23.58 $47.16
premium $4.91 $26.46 $52.92
diesel $5.61 $30.23 $60.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.1 0 $14.37 $6.57
Efficient EV 34.2 0 $11.98 $5.48
EV Truck/SUV 54.8 0 $19.17 $8.76

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Columbus, OH

Morning in Columbus on Sunday

Local time

8:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oakwood, OH

Morning in Oakwood on Sunday

Local time

8:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Mansfield, OH

68 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

1 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 34m 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.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 127.4
Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning
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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this 136.9-mile trip, with 97% of your travel occurring on high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 110.9 miles on I-71, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the route is efficient, the character is largely defined by its interstate nature, offering minimal deviations from the fast lane. This drive is designed for covering ground quickly, so prepare for a steady, highway-centric feel from start to finish.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?

8/10

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 136.9 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 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.

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 2h 34m. Total distance: 136.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m 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 110.9 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 Oakwood, 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 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oakwood, 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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