This 274.4-mile drive from Leetonia to Cincinnati, Ohio, is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 5 hours and 28 minutes of pure driving time. You'll primarily navigate via I-71, with some segments on US 224 and I-76. With a fuel cost estimated around $43, it's an economical journey, allowing you to focus on the road. The route is heavily highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip across Ohio's Midwest landscape. Given its duration, planning for one stop is sensible for this single-day adventure.
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
137.2 miles from Leetonia, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m 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
Cleveland East Liverpool Road
8.3 mi
12m
SR 344
6.2 mi
9m
State Route 14
3.4 mi
5m
Benton Road
1.3 mi
2m
East State Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 204.8 mi, about 3h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leetonia, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on SR 344
68 ft·7 sec·Columbia Street
2
Turn left onto SR 344
0.1 mi·15 sec·Hazel Street
3
Turn right onto SR 344
6.2 mi·9 min·SR 344
4
Turn right onto SR 344
0.3 mi·45 sec·South Lincoln Avenue
5
Turn left onto SR 9; SR 14
0.9 mi·2 min·East State Street
6
Turn right onto SR 14
1.3 mi·2 min·Benton Road
7
Continue on SR 14
8.3 mi·12 min·Cleveland East Liverpool Road
8
Continue on SR 14
3.4 mi·5 min·State Route 14
9
Enter roundabout onto US 224; SR 225
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 224; SR 225
10
Continue on US 224; SR 225
5.1 mi·7 min·US 224; SR 225
11
Continue on US 224; SR 183
0.5 mi·57 sec·US 224; SR 183
12
Turn left onto US 224
23 mi·31 min·US 224
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
14
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 71
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
103 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 3A; 3BToward Taft Road, Martin Luther King DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Taft RoadUse the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road
0.7 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
21
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 274.4-mile drive, departing mid-morning is a good strategy, allowing you to reach Cincinnati without feeling rushed and potentially avoid peak rush hour traffic. With a total duration of 5 hours and 28 minutes, plan for one main stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 204.8-mile stretch on I-71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer interstate segments. This route is well-suited for a single day, so enjoy the flexibility of making spontaneous, brief stops as needed.
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 137.2 miles from Leetonia, OH, or about 2h 52m 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 60 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 52m 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 30m
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 Leetonia, 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 Leetonia, OH
This is one driving day of about 274.4 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Leetonia, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 272.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 344 / Hazel Street
Turn left onto SR 344 / Hazel Street
Navigation decision point
7
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
272.5 mi into trip|~5h 23m 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
272.6 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$42.59 one way
$85.17 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$47.26
$94.53
premium
$4.91
$53.03
$106.07
diesel
$5.61
$60.58
$121.17
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: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.81
$13.17
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.01
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.42
$17.56
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Leetonia, OH
Night
in Leetonia on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Night
in Cincinnati on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
137 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 28m 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 227.1
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 47.3
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 227.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this trip, with the bulk of your journey unfolding on I-71. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 204.8 miles on this main interstate, indicating long, consistent driving segments. The route prioritizes efficient travel, so anticipate a steady pace for much of the 5 hours and 28 minutes. While primarily interstate, the initial and final portions might offer a slight shift in scenery as you transition to and from the major highways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 early in the drive near SR 344 / Hazel Street.
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 14 significant decision points across 274.4 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: near the start (SR 344 / Hazel Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.5 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
•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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 274.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 344 / Hazel Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.5 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
