Embark on a 232.9-mile journey from New Matamoras, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes. This route is best tackled in a single day, making it an ideal day trip for those looking to explore more of the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate along the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, US 50, and WV 2. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this drive offers an affordable way to connect two points within the same region. Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a more engaging experience than a pure interstate cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
116.4 miles from New Matamoras, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
129.1 mi
2h 35m
US 50
21.9 mi
27m
WV 2
19.4 mi
22m
Park Avenue
12.9 mi
19m
SR 7
10.9 mi
13m
Corridor D
10.2 mi
11m
Circle Freeway
10 mi
11m
East Bentbrook Drive
7.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 129.1 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Matamoras, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on Main Street
83 ft·11 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto SR 260
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto SR 7
13 mi·19 min·Park Avenue
4
Turn right onto SR 807
0.7 mi·1 min·Carpenter Bridge
5
Take the ramp
118 ft·5 sec
6
Turn right onto WV 2
16 mi·18 min·WV 2
7
Take the exit onto WV 2
3.4 mi·3 min·WV 2
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 50: Downtown Parkersburg
9
Turn right onto US 50
10 mi·11 min·Corridor D
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
0.6 mi·1 min·US 50
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
11
Merge onto US 50; SR 7; SR 32
11 mi·13 min·US 50; SR 7; SR 32
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 50; SR 32
21 mi·26 min·US 50; SR 32
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West: Athens, ChillicotheUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50; SR 32
0.7 mi·47 sec·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 50; SR 32
7.1 mi·9 min·East Bentbrook Drive
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 50; SR 32
128 mi·2 hr 34 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 South: Kentucky
17
Merge onto I 275
10.0 mi·11 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 74BToward I 471 North: Newport, CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 471
5.4 mi·6 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 71
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 2Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park DriveUse the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft·12 sec
Toward US 42 North: Reading RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto US 42
0.6 mi·1 min·Reading Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto Burnet Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Burnet Avenue
26
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
28
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 47-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to ensure you reach Cincinnati with ample daylight. While this route is manageable in one day, factor in the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; it might feel longer than its 232.9 miles suggest. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 129.1-mile stretch on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, as services might be more spread out. Your fuel cost is estimated at $36, so budget accordingly.
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 116.4 miles from New Matamoras, OH, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.1 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 51 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.4 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 New Matamoras, 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 New Matamoras, OH
This is one driving day of about 232.9 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from New Matamoras, 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 James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 129.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.9 and 231.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
43.9 mi into trip|~55m in|US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athens, Pomeroy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West, SR 7 South: Athe...
7
55.4 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|US 50; SR 32
Take the exit onto US 50; SR 32 toward US 50 West, SR 32 West: Athens, Chillicothe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 50 West, SR 32 West: Athens, Chillico...
8
224.9 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
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 74B
Toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
9
231 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 2
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Dri...
8
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 42 North: Reading Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.15 one way
$72.29 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$40.12
$80.23
premium
$4.91
$45.01
$90.02
diesel
$5.61
$51.42
$102.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.9
0
$24.45
$11.18
Efficient EV
58.2
0
$20.38
$9.32
EV Truck/SUV
93.2
1
$32.61
$14.91
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
New Matamoras, OH
Morning
in New Matamoras on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Morning
in Cincinnati on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
22 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
4h 47m 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.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 136.5
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds than on a major interstate. Only 29% of the route is on highways, so much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 129.1 miles on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, offering a sustained period of driving. As you progress, the character of the road will likely shift from more rural to more developed as you approach Cincinnati, offering a dynamic driving experience.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.1 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.9 miles in near US 50.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 232.9 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 43.9 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.4 miles (US 50; SR 32): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Matamoras, OH and Cincinnati, OH, road signs point toward Pomeroy and Chillicothe.
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 4h 47m. Total distance: 232.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.1 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. 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: at 43.9 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.4 miles (US 50; SR 32): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cincinnati, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
