Ellsworth, OH to Cincinnati, OH is 264 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 95% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day drive across the state without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132 miles from Ellsworth, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
204.8 mi
3h 46m
US 224
28.5 mi
40m
I 76
17.4 mi
20m
Akron Canfield Road
10.1 mi
14m
William Howard Taft Road
0.7 mi
1m
Calhoun Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Ohio Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
South Salem Warren Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 204.8 mi, about 3h 46m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 158 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,106 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,829
Quietest
2 AM
~233 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellsworth, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on SR 45
41 ft·8 sec·South Salem Warren Road
2
Turn left onto US 224
10 mi·14 min·Akron Canfield Road
3
Enter roundabout onto US 224; SR 225
427 ft·8 sec·US 224; SR 225
4
Continue on US 224; SR 225
5.1 mi·7 min·US 224; SR 225
5
Continue on US 224; SR 183
0.5 mi·57 sec·US 224; SR 183
6
Turn left onto US 224
23 mi·31 min·US 224
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
103 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 3A; 3BToward Taft Road, Martin Luther King DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Taft RoadUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road
0.7 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
15
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m duration, leaving Ellsworth, OH in the morning should allow you to reach Cincinnati, OH with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 200 miles on I-71, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. With a total fuel cost estimated at $39, it's an economical trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but be mindful of potential traffic as you get closer to Cincinnati.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132 miles from Ellsworth, OH, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.8 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 58 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, OH
This is one driving day of about 264 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Ellsworth, 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 204.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 262.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.1 mi into trip|~15m in|US 224; SR 225
Enter roundabout onto US 224; SR 225
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
56 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
6
159.1 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
262.1 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
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 3A; 3B
Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
7
262.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Taft Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward Taft Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.17 one way
$86.33 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$48.42
$96.85
premium
$5.23
$54.37
$108.74
diesel
$6.28
$65.23
$130.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.72
$12.67
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.96
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ellsworth, OH
Morning
in Ellsworth on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
S 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Morning
in Cincinnati on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
3 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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 209.4
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 45.5
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 218.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 264 miles on major roads like I-71, US 224, and I-76. You'll encounter a long stretch of 204.8 miles on I-71, indicating extended periods of cruising. The highway portion will likely conclude with a transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, offering a change in scenery and potentially more local traffic.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 224. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in near US 224; SR 225.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 264 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 10.1 miles (US 224; SR 225): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America.
Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.
Top landmarks
•Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden — second oldest zoo in the United States
•Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
•Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 264 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cincinnati, 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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles (US 224; SR 225): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.1 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cincinnati, OH before the return drive.
