Origin
Dublin, OH
Late night in Dublin on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dublin, OH to Ironton, 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 42m
Distance
128.6 mi
207 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dublin, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Ironton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dublin, OH to Ironton, OH is 128.6 miles and takes about 2h 42m via US 23, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on US 23, a major north-south artery, before transitioning to US 52. The route is designed for a single-day adventure, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a practical way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
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
64.3 miles from Dublin, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth - Columbus Road | 36.5 mi | 47m |
| US 23 | 31.5 mi | 42m |
| US 52 | 19.4 mi | 21m |
| Jack Nicklaus Freeway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| South High Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| West Bridge Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
— 36.5 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dublin, OH and Ironton, 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
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
10
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South High Street
11
Continue on US 23
37 mi
·
47 min
·
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi
·
42 min
·
US 23
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
14
Continue on SR 823
17 mi
·
17 min
·
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Merge onto US 52
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 52
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 93
48 ft
·
0 sec
·
Park Avenue
18
Continue on SR 93
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Park Avenue
19
Turn right onto South 6th Street
371 ft
·
21 sec
·
South 6th Street
20
Turn left onto Center Street
183 ft
·
8 sec
·
Center Street
21
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 42m driving time, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to either push through or take a break when needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto US 52, as services can become more spaced out in certain stretches. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, so plan accordingly. A good tip is to refuel before leaving the Dublin area to ensure you start with a full tank.
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 64.3 miles from Dublin, OH, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.5 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironton, 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.
+
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 Dublin, OH
This is one driving day of about 128.6 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Dublin, 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 Portsmouth - Columbus Road for about 36.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.3 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 20.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Mill Lane
Turn right onto Mill Lane
Navigation decision point
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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
20 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, C...
6
20.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 South: Circleville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.96 one way
$39.92 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $22.15 | $44.30 |
| premium | $4.91 | $24.85 | $49.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.39 | $56.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 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 | 38.6 | 0 | $13.50 | $6.17 |
| Efficient EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.25 | $5.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Ironton, OH
Late night in Ironton on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Waverly, OH
64 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
18 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 42m 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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 57.6
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 54% of it on higher-speed routes. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Portsmouth - Columbus Road, covering 36.5 miles. After the highway sections, expect a change to more local driving as you navigate through communities. The transition from highway cruising to surface roads means you'll notice a difference in traffic patterns and exit density as you get closer to your destination.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.5 mi on Portsmouth - Columbus Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mill Lane.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 128.6 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: near the start (Mill Lane): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 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.
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 Ironton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Circleville along the way.
Circleville
20 mi in
|
~25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 128.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.5 miles on Portsmouth - Columbus 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 Ironton, 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: near the start (Mill Lane): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 33; SR 161 / West Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hopewell Culture 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 Ironton, 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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