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Trip from Elida, 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 8m

Distance

98.4 mi

158 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great 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 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 3m

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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village in Ohio, United States

Elida, OH

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 98.4-mile drive from Elida, OH to Columbus, OH is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 8 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 33 and SR 117, this route offers a highway-focused experience with a 77% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so expect familiar Midwestern landscapes. This route is ideal for a quick getaway or an efficient commute, requiring no overnight stays.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

49.2 miles from Elida, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 33 45.6 mi 49m
SR 117 16.9 mi 24m
Bellefontaine Road 9.9 mi 14m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway 7.1 mi 8m
Elida Road 3.8 mi 5m
I 670 3.6 mi 4m
West Freeway 2.3 mi 2m
West Elm Street 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 33 — 45.6 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Main Street

30 ft · 3 sec · West Main Street
2

Turn right onto South Greenlawn Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · South Greenlawn Avenue
3

Turn left onto SR 309

0.6 mi · 1 min · SR 309
4

Continue on SR 309

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Main Street
5

Continue on SR 309

3.8 mi · 5 min · Elida Road
6

Continue on SR 309

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Jameson Avenue
7

Turn left onto SR 117; SR 309

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Elm Street
8

Enter roundabout onto SR 117; SR 309

18 ft · 0 sec · Bellefontaine Avenue
9

Continue on SR 117; SR 309

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bellefontaine Avenue
10

Turn straight onto SR 117; SR 309

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Harding Highway
11

Turn right onto SR 117

9.9 mi · 14 min · Bellefontaine Road
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on SR 117

17 mi · 24 min · SR 117
13

Continue on C-130

0.2 mi · 37 sec · County Road 130
14

Turn left onto C-37

0.1 mi · 18 sec · County Road 37
15

Turn right onto US 33

46 mi · 49 min · US 33
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 108 Toward I 270 East, I 270 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 270 South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto I 270

7.1 mi · 8 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 8 Toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 70 East: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto I 70

2.3 mi · 2 min · West Freeway
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 4A–B Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 4A Toward US 23 South: Third Street
25

Turn straight onto US 23

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
26

Turn right onto East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street
Use the right lane.
27

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec
28

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Elida in the morning will get you to Columbus with plenty of the day remaining. Since this is a relatively short trip with no designated stops in the data, you can easily complete it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a turn is 45.6 miles on US 33, and plan your fuel stops accordingly before you hit that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $15 makes it an affordable trip to budget for.

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 49.2 miles from Elida, OH, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.6 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 22 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 43m

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 Elida, 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 Elida, OH

This is one driving day of about 98.4 miles and 2h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Elida, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 33 for about 45.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Lakeview, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakeview, OH

49 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

Lakeview, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Lewisburg, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Elida, 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 · 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

The Met

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lima, Ohio

0.4 mi

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.4 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Vibe Coffeehouse & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lima, Ohio

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 9min in 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+15672895394

Visit website

Our Town Roast

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lima, Ohio

0.2 mi

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.7 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

The Met

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14199999463

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

Lombardo's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+14192279804

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

House of Japan

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+16147922445

Visit website

P.F. Chang's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16147260070

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

Vibe Coffeehouse & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+15672895394

Visit website

Our Town Roast

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+15677126029

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

Kahley's Sips

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Elida, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14199799215

Light on The Corner

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15673713267

7 Brew Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 5:30 am–11 pm

+14793589274

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

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

Western Sizzlin

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Lima, Ohio

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14193316644

Visit website

Leatherlips Sculpture

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

Visit website

Emerald Fields

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Dublin, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16144104700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 81.6 and 97.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
81.6 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward I 270 East, I 270 South

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 108 Toward I 270 East, I 270 South
7
81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 270 South
8
89.8 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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
90.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
8
97.2 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street

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 4A–B Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.27 one way

$30.54 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $16.95 $33.90
premium $4.91 $19.02 $38.04
diesel $5.61 $21.73 $43.45

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: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.5 0 $10.33 $4.72
Efficient EV 24.6 0 $8.61 $3.94
EV Truck/SUV 39.4 0 $13.78 $6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Elida, OH

Late night in Elida on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

S 3 to 9 mph 6% chance Live forecast

48°F

Lakeview, OH

49 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

14 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 8m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that predominantly follows major roadways, with 77% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 45.6 miles on US 33 without needing to turn off, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of Bellefontaine Road suggests some transition onto more local thoroughfares. This route balances efficient travel with moments of varied road types, keeping the driving experience relatively dynamic.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.6 mi on US 33.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 33 and SR 117. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 98.4 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 81.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Elida, OH to Columbus, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Dayton along the way.

Dayton

89.8 mi in | ~1h 54m

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 8m. Total distance: 98.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 45.6 miles on US 33. 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 81.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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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