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Trip from Day Heights, OH to Columbus, OH

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

94.4 mi

152 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

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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Downtown Day Heights, OH, OH

Day Heights, OH

天玑 不器

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 101.6-mile drive from Day Heights to Columbus, Ohio, will take you about 1 hour and 38 minutes. It's a perfect one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. You'll primarily be on local roads, including Betty Lane, Buckwheat Road, and State Route 28, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $15, making it an economical option. This route offers a straightforward, no-frills drive through the Midwest.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

47.2 miles from Day Heights, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 60.9 mi 1h 6m
US 22 10 mi 14m
SR 132 6.7 mi 11m
State Route 28 5.4 mi 9m
SR 380 3.5 mi 6m
SR 123 3 mi 5m
Buckwheat Road 1.8 mi 3m
SR 131 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 60.9 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Kent Drive

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Kent Drive
2

At end of road, turn right onto Betty Lane

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Betty Lane
3

Turn right onto SR 131

0.4 mi · 44 sec · SR 131
4

Continue on SR 131

0.4 mi · 39 sec · SR 131
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on SR 131

156 ft · 10 sec · SR 131
6

Turn left onto Buckwheat Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Buckwheat Road
Use the left lane.
7

Turn right onto SR 28

5.4 mi · 9 min · State Route 28
Use the straight lane.
8

Turn left onto SR 132

6.7 mi · 11 min · SR 132
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto SR 123

3.0 mi · 5 min · SR 123
10

Turn right onto US 22; SR 3

10.0 mi · 14 min · US 22; SR 3
11

Turn left onto SR 380

3.5 mi · 6 min · SR 380
12

Turn left onto SR 73

0.2 mi · 20 sec · State Route 73
13

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 71 North: Columbus
14

Merge onto I 71

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto I 71

0.4 mi · 45 sec · I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 70; I 71

0.3 mi · 27 sec · South Innerbelt
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
18

Turn left onto South Front Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Turn right onto West State Street

0.2 mi · 54 sec · West State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street
21

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning rush hour, to avoid any local traffic. With no long stretches, you won't need to plan extensive breaks, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on local roads where stations might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $15 suggests you won't need to break the bank, but a quick stop before leaving Day Heights is always a good idea.

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 47.2 miles from Day Heights, OH, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 21 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Day Heights, 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 Day Heights, OH

This is one driving day of about 94.4 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Day Heights, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 60.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Clinton County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilmington, OH

47 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

Wilmington, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jamestown, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.2 miles from Day Heights, 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 60.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 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

Best coffee break · home stretch

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 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

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

2.6 mi

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

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

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Transcend Coffee + Roastery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Grove City, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16149910911

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 93.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Betty Lane

At end of road, turn right onto Betty Lane

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Buckwheat Road

Turn left onto Buckwheat Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
31.7 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the ramp toward I 71 North: Columbus

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Toward I 71 North: Columbus
7
92.5 mi into trip | ~2h in | I 71

Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
6
93.6 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | South Front Street

Turn left onto South Front Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.65 one way

$29.30 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $16.26 $32.52
premium $4.91 $18.24 $36.49
diesel $5.61 $20.84 $41.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.3 0 $9.91 $4.53
Efficient EV 23.6 0 $8.26 $3.78
EV Truck/SUV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 20, 2026

Origin

Day Heights, OH

Late night in Day Heights on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Wilmington, OH

47 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

24 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

2h 5m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The roads are primarily local, winding through communities rather than open country. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of local roads means you'll likely encounter frequent turns and changes in speed limits. This drive is less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating through towns and local networks.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 22. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Betty Lane.

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 94.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 (Betty Lane): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles (Buckwheat Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.

About the Cities

Arriving 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 5m. Total distance: 94.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m 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 60.9 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 Columbus, 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 (Betty Lane): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles (Buckwheat Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbus, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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