Pilot Travel Center
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Trip from Hamilton, OH to East Palestine, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
297.8 mi
479 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 32m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamilton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
East Palestine, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hamilton, OH to East Palestine, OH is 297.8 miles and takes about 5h 44m via I-71, I-76, and I-70, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day. You'll likely find the route efficient for covering ground between these two points.
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
148.9 miles from Hamilton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 99.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 76 | 58.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 70 | 51.1 mi | 55m |
| I 675 | 24.7 mi | 28m |
| Ohio Turnpike | 14 mi | 14m |
| I 75 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Woodworth Road | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Hamilton Middletown Road | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,112 veh/hr typical · worst 2,981
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Hamilton, OH and East Palestine, OH.
1
Start on SR 129; SR 177
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto SR 4
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Erie Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on SR 4
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Fairgrove Avenue
4
Continue on SR 4
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Hamilton Middletown Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward SR 63: Monroe, Lebanon
6
Continue on SR 63
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Hamilton Lebanon Road East
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn straight onto SR 63
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
SR 63
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Dayton
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 75
10
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 43
Toward I 675 North: Columbus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 675
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 675
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 675
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26A
Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70; SR 4
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 71
100 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
39 mi
·
43 min
·
I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto I 76
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76: Pittsburgh
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pittsburg
29
Merge onto I 76
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Ohio Turnpike
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 232
Toward SR 7: Youngstown
Use the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward SR 7 South: North Lima, East Liverpool
32
Turn straight onto SR 7
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
33
Turn left onto SR 165
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East South Range Road
34
Turn right onto SR 165
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Woodworth Road
35
Continue on SR 14; SR 165
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 14; SR 165
36
Continue on SR 165; SR 170
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Market Street
37
Turn right onto West Rebecca Street
162 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Rebecca Street
38
Turn left
109 ft
·
8 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this roughly 5.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The estimated fuel cost is around $47, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.5-mile stretch on I-71 where services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your needs.
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 148.9 miles from Hamilton, OH, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 66 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.9 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Palestine, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, OH
This is one driving day of about 297.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Hamilton, 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 99.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.9 miles from Hamilton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.5 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
South Vienna Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
South Vienna Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Butler Interstate 75 Southbound
1.4 mi from route
Butler Interstate 75 Northbound
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Glacier Hills Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Mahoning Valley Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Hot Refuel Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 decision points cluster between mile 27 and 209.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
27 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward I 675 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward I 675 North: Columbus
7
104.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
109.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
8
209.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
209.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.59 one way
$93.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $52.46 | $104.91 |
| premium | $5.06 | $59.28 | $118.56 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $72.45 | $144.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Ohio Turnpike
(14 mi)
$0.70
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.27 | $14.29 |
| Efficient EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.06 | $11.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.69 | $19.06 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Hamilton, OH
Night in Hamilton on Friday
Local time
11:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 9 to 14 mph
74% chance
Live forecast
Destination
East Palestine, OH
Night in East Palestine on Friday
Local time
11:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 to 14 mph
96% chance
Live 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
7 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 44m 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.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 41.1
View on nps.gov
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 51.4
View on nps.gov
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 236.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on major highways, with a 90% highway share. You'll experience a longest stretch of 99.5 miles on I-71, indicating long, uninterrupted cruising. Expect a high concentration of exits and interchanges for much of the trip, especially as you transition between I-71, I-70, and I-76. The route concludes with the highway ending, transitioning to local roads for the final approach.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27 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 30 significant decision points across 297.8 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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.9 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.2 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,306 ft
596 ft
Total Climb
1,066 ft
Total Descent
666 ft
Highest Point
1,306 ft
~170.2 mi in
Elevation Range
709 ft
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.
Between Hamilton, OH and East Palestine, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland, Akron and Pittsburg.
Cleveland
109.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
|
via North Innerbelt
Akron
209.6 mi in
|
~3h 56m
Pittsburg
270.6 mi in
|
~5h 8m
|
via I 76
About the Cities
Starting in Hamilton, OH
Full guide →Founded 1794
Hamilton is a city of 63,000 people (2020) in Butler County, Ohio.
Top landmarks
- • Robinson-Schwenn Building — historic former theater in Hamilton, Ohio, United States
- • German Village Historic District — historic district in Ohio, United States
- • Anderson–Shaffer House — historic residence in the city of Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Arriving in East Palestine, OH
Full guide →Founded 1828
East Palestine is a city of 4,800 people (2020) in Columbiana County, Ohio. Large storage and preserving facilities made East Palestine the leading city for orchards in the area. Its name is pronounced "East Pal-es-teen", not "-ine".
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 5h 44m. Total distance: 297.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.5 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.70 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 41 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 East Palestine, 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.9 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.2 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Palestine, OH before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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