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Trip from Dublin, OH to Athens, 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

1h 53m

Distance

90.3 mi

145 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

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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city in Ohio, United States

Dublin, OH

Wikimedia Commons

city in Athens County, Ohio, United States

Athens, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 90.3-mile drive from Dublin, Ohio, to Athens, Ohio, will take you about 1 hour and 53 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with a short section on I-270 South, making for a turn-heavy local drive. As you travel within the Midwest region, you'll experience the familiar landscape of Ohio. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

45.1 miles from Dublin, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Old Logan Road 28.9 mi 32m
Lancaster Bypass 13.8 mi 14m
Southeast Expressway 8.8 mi 11m
Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest 7.6 mi 9m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway 7.4 mi 8m
West Freeway 5.5 mi 6m
East Freeway 3.6 mi 4m
Logan-Lancaster Road 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Old Logan Road — 28.9 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dublin, OH and Athens, OH.

1

Start on this road

103 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Mill Lane

128 ft · 12 sec · Mill Lane
3

Turn left onto US 33; SR 161

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the ramp

416 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 270 South, I 270 East
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 270 South Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 270

7.4 mi · 8 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 8 Toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 70 East: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 70

2.3 mi · 2 min · West Freeway
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

3.2 mi · 4 min · West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 70

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Innerbelt
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 31 sec · South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 70

3.6 mi · 4 min · East Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 105A Toward US 33 East: Lancaster Use the slight right lane.
15

Continue on US 33

0.3 mi · 29 sec · College Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 33

8.8 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 33

7.6 mi · 9 min · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on US 33

14 mi · 14 min · Lancaster Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on US 33

3.5 mi · 4 min · Logan-Lancaster Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Continue on US 33

2.6 mi · 3 min · Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 33

29 mi · 32 min · Old Logan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 194 Toward SR 550 East: Amesville, Columbus Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn right onto Columbus Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · Columbus Road
24

Continue on North Lancaster Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · North Lancaster Street
25

Continue on South Lancaster Street

394 ft · 17 sec · South Lancaster Street
26

Turn left onto West State Street

483 ft · 19 sec · West State Street
27

Turn right onto North Congress Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · North Congress Street
28

Turn left onto West Washington Street

372 ft · 12 sec · West Washington Street
29

Arrive at destination

West Washington Street

Trip Plan

This 1 hour and 53 minute drive is easily manageable in one day, so you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. With no designated stops and a relatively short distance, you can decide on breaks as you go. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $14 for the 90.3 miles. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route: be sure to double-check your GPS or map service for accurate directions before you leave, as frequent turns can sometimes be disorienting on local roads.

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 45.1 miles from Dublin, OH, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.9 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 20 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.1 miles or 57m 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 30m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dublin, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dublin, OH

This is one driving day of about 90.3 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Dublin, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Old Logan Road for about 28.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Fairfield County, Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lancaster, OH

45 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

Bexley, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lancaster, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.1 miles from Dublin, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

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

Best meal stop

REBoL

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dublin, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16143894751

Visit website

FullBrooks Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nelsonville, Ohio

0.6 mi

Rhapsody Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Nelsonville, Ohio

0.6 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 24min in 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

2.2 mi

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

2.4 mi

REBoL

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16143894751

Visit website

FullBrooks Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Nelsonville, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–3:30 pm

+17407533391

Visit website

Rhapsody Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $50

Nelsonville, Ohio

Hours: 5–9 pm

+17407535740

Visit website

Finjani Yemeni Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hilliard, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16142191054

Visit website

Atrium Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Athens, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+17405931000

Visit website

Grandview Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16147251077

Visit website

Grand China

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hilliard, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–8:45 pm

+16145290028

Visit website

House of Japan

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+16147922445

Visit website

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Leatherlips Sculpture

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

Visit website

Emerald Fields

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16144104700

Visit website

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 87.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 South
8
9.1 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton

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 8 Toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton
7
9.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Columbus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 70 East: Columbus
7
21.5 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward US 33 East: Lancaster

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 105A Toward US 33 East: Lancaster
8
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward SR 550 East: Amesville, Columbus Road

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 194 Toward SR 550 East: Amesville, Columbus Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.01 one way

$28.03 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $15.55 $31.11
premium $4.91 $17.45 $34.90
diesel $5.61 $19.94 $39.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.1 0 $9.48 $4.33
Efficient EV 22.6 0 $7.90 $3.61
EV Truck/SUV 36.1 0 $12.64 $5.78

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Dublin, OH

Late night in Dublin on Tuesday

Local time

4:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Athens, OH

Late night in Athens on Tuesday

Local time

4:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Lancaster, OH

45 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

20 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

1h 53m 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' for the majority of this 90.3-mile journey. With 0% highway share, you'll be navigating a series of local roads for the entire trip, including Mill Lane and West Bridge Street before briefly merging onto I-270 South. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be actively engaged with the road, making frequent turns and adjustments. This type of driving experience offers a more intimate connection with the Ohio landscape as you transition from Dublin to Athens.

Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.9 mi on Old Logan Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Dublin, OH to Athens, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Dayton along the way.

Dayton

9.1 mi in | ~12m

About the Cities

Arriving in Athens, OH

Full guide →

Athens is a city with a major university (population 26,000 -2010) and county seat of Athens County (population 68,000 2010 Southeast Ohio, best known for being home to over 29,000 Ohio University students. Athens was settled in 1797, and the university was the first to be founded in the Northwest Territory in 1803.

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 53m. Total distance: 90.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 28.9 miles on Old Logan Road. 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 Athens, 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 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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