Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from La Croft, OH to Cincinnati, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
268.8 mi
433 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Croft, OH
Radoslaw Sikorski
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
La Croft to Cincinnati is 268.8 miles and takes about 5h 19m via South Freeway and I 70, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given its profile, this route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You can expect consistent driving conditions for most of the 5-hour journey.
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
134.4 miles from La Croft, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Freeway | 97.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 70 | 66.5 mi | 1h 12m |
| Cadiz Road | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| Cadiz-Piedmont Road | 16.8 mi | 22m |
| US 22 | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| SR 7 | 11.5 mi | 16m |
| Jack Nicklaus Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| West 8th Street | 9.9 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 97.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,080 veh/hr typical · worst 2,640
Quietest
2 AM
~223 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 La Croft, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on SR 267
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Lisbon Street
2
At end of road, turn sharp right onto SR 39
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
West 8th Street
3
Continue on SR 7
12 mi
·
16 min
·
SR 7
4
Turn right onto SR 213
229 ft
·
3 sec
·
SR 213
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
6
Merge onto US 22
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 22
7
Continue on US 22
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Cadiz-Steubenville Road
8
Continue on US 22
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Cadiz-Piedmont Road
9
Continue on US 22; SR 800
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Cadiz Road
10
Continue on US 22
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Avenue
11
Turn slight right onto US 22; US 40
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wheeling Avenue
12
Turn slight left onto US 22; US 40
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Dewey Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 22; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
John Glenn Highway
14
Turn left onto SR 723
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
SR 723
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
16
Merge onto I 70
66 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 108
Toward I 270 South, I 270 North
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 270 South
Use the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 270 South
Use the right lane.
20
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 71 South: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 55B
Toward I 71 South: Cincinnati
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 71
97 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 3A; 3B
Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Taft Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Calhoun Street
29
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ohio Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach Cincinnati with daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan to make it count for fuel or a break. With a longest stretch of nearly 100 miles on South Freeway, ensure you're fueled up before starting that segment. The $40 fuel cost is an estimate, so always check current prices. This is a manageable one-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 134.4 miles from La Croft, OH, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 59 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 44m 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 22m
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 La Croft, 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 La Croft, OH
This is one driving day of about 268.8 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from La Croft, 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 South Freeway for about 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from La Croft, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.4 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
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Dupre Roadside Park
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Warren Interstate 71 Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 156 and 266.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
156 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 270 South, I 270 North
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 108
Toward I 270 South, I 270 North
7
156.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
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 55
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Columbus
8
169 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 55B
Toward I 71 South: Cincinnati
8
266.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.30 one way
$82.61 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $46.58 | $93.17 |
| premium | $4.99 | $52.78 | $105.55 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.75 | $101.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.5 | 1 | $37.63 | $17.20 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Origin
La Croft, OH
Late night in La Croft on Monday
Local time
5:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
S 1 to 5 mph
47% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:23PM EDT until July 18 at 8:45AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Late night in Cincinnati on Monday
Local time
5:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph
58% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:23PM EDT until July 18 at 8:45AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
61°F
Caldwell, OH
134 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
4 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 19m 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
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 213.2
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 222.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 75% of the route on major roads like South Freeway and I 70. You'll encounter a long stretch of 97.4 miles on South Freeway, so be prepared for extended highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur after that significant highway segment. Expect to notice the frequent exits and entrances typical of interstate travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156 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 268.8 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 156 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,231 ft
705 ft
Total Climb
993 ft
Total Descent
1,300 ft
Highest Point
1,231 ft
~38.4 mi in
Elevation Range
526 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.
On the drive from La Croft, OH to Cincinnati, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Columbus along the way.
Columbus
168.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
About the Cities
Starting in La Croft, OH
Full guide →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 19m. Total distance: 268.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 156 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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, 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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