Trip from Jefferson, OH to Cincinnati, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

299.6 mi

482 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 27m ★

6 AM

5h 41m

8 AM

6h 7m

10 AM

5h 50m

12 PM

5h 47m

3 PM

5h 51m

5 PM

6h 6m

8 PM

5h 33m

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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Jefferson, OH

Tom Fisk

city in Ohio, United States; county seat of Hamilton County

Cincinnati, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 299.6-mile drive from Jefferson, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes. With 99% of the route on highways, including I-90, I-271, and I-71, you'll experience a fast-paced trip across the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $47, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. Given the duration and highway nature, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. You'll be traversing primarily through Ohio for the entirety of this route.

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

149.8 miles from Jefferson, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 71	216.2 mi	3h 58m
I 90	32.9 mi	36m
I 271	24.3 mi	26m
I 271 Express	13.9 mi	17m
State Route 307	4.4 mi	6m
Outerbelt East Freeway	3.6 mi	4m
State Route 45	1.1 mi	2m
William Howard Taft Road	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 71 — 216.2 mi, about 3h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, OH and Cincinnati, OH.

Start on SR 46; SR 307

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Chestnut Street

Turn left onto SR 307

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Beech Street

Continue on SR 307

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Route 307

Turn right onto SR 45

1.1 mi · 2 min · State Route 45

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 90

33 mi · 36 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271 Express

14 mi · 17 min · I 271 Express

Merge onto I 271

3.6 mi · 4 min · Outerbelt East Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

24 mi · 26 min · I 271

Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 71

113 mi · 2 hr 3 min · I 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 71

103 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Exit 3A; 3B Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward Taft Road Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · William Howard Taft Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on Calhoun Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Calhoun Street

Turn left onto Ohio Avenue

340 ft · 13 sec · Ohio Avenue

Arrive at destination

Ohio Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jefferson to make the most of your day in Cincinnati. With a fuel cost estimate of $47, planning one stop for gas and a break should be sufficient. The route is heavily reliant on I-71 for its longest stretch, so keep an eye on traffic reports, especially as you approach larger urban areas. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, breaking it up isn't necessary given the manageable duration and highway focus.

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 149.8 miles from Jefferson, OH, or about 2h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216.2 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 149.8 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 37m

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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, OH

This is one driving day of about 299.6 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Jefferson, 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 216.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

150 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

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.8 miles from Jefferson, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 216.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mason, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.2

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+15134668271

Visit website

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

0.8 mi

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.6

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

0.5 mi

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.5 mi

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 278.2

Mason, Ohio

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+15134668271

Visit website

Pho Lang Thang

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 299.6

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15133769177

Visit website

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16142245461

Visit website

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16148675008

Visit website

The Eagle | Short North

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16147453397

Visit website

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 299.6

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15132217222

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16146213287

Visit website

Buckeye Food Stop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.6

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

The 86 Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 299.6

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

Visit website

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 192.6

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 42.8

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 42.8

Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 64.2

Twinsburg, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 64.2

Twinsburg, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 64.2

Peninsula, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 42.8

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14404733370

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 297.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.9 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 90

Merge onto I 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

57.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | I 271

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

194.7 mi into trip | ~3h 40m 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.

297.7 mi into trip | ~5h 35m 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

297.9 mi into trip | ~5h 36m 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

$46.50 one way

$92.99 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.38	$51.60	$103.21
premium	$4.91	$57.90	$115.81
diesel	$5.61	$66.15	$132.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.9	1	$31.46	$14.38
Efficient EV	74.9	0	$26.22	$11.98
EV Truck/SUV	119.8	1	$41.94	$19.17

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Jefferson, OH

Night in Jefferson on Saturday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cincinnati, OH

Night in Cincinnati on Saturday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Mansfield, OH

150 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

11 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 40m 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.

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 62

Caution: Vehicle Break-in and Theft Warning

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 248

View on nps.gov

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...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 258.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 99% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 216.2 miles primarily on I-71, meaning you can settle in for a significant portion of the drive without many interruptions. This highway-focused profile suggests a consistent pace, ideal for covering distance efficiently. While the roads are designed for speed and ease of travel, the sheer length of the interstate segments means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 216.2 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in near I 90.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 299.6 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: at 6.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.7 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Cincinnati, OH

Full guide →

Founded 1788

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

• 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...
• Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States

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 40m. Total distance: 299.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 216.2 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.

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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Trip from Jefferson, OH to Cincinnati, OH

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

Cincy cafe

Wok India Restaurant And Bar | Best Indian Food In Mason

Pho Lang Thang

4th & State

Haveli Bistro

The Eagle | Short North

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

Buckeye Food Stop

Cincy cafe

The 86 Coffee Bar

Bottoms Up Coffee

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

Lola's Coffee + Bar

Deeper Roots Coffee

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

Kala Coffeehouse

Tesla Supercharger

Flo Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Planet Snoopy

Squire's Castle

American Sign Museum

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Coulby Park

Euclid Creek Reservation

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jefferson, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 40m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Cincinnati, OH

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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