Parma to Ironton is 248.4 miles and takes about 5h via I 71 and US 23, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a mostly highway experience for the majority of this trip. With a single recommended day and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward, single-day excursion.
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
124.2 miles from Parma, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
118.3 mi
2h 9m
Portsmouth - Columbus Road
36.5 mi
47m
US 23
31.5 mi
42m
US 52
19.4 mi
21m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.5 mi
17m
Ridge Road
14.8 mi
24m
I 271
3.5 mi
4m
South High Street
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 9m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 51 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,959 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Parma, OH and Ironton, OH.
1
Start on West 54th Street
47 ft·8 sec·West 54th Street
2
Turn left onto Snow Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Snow Road
3
Turn left onto SR 3
15 mi·24 min·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 271 South: Wadsworth
5
Merge onto I 271
3.5 mi·4 min·I 271
6
Merge onto I 71
113 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
5.1 mi·5 min·I 71
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 101Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove CityUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 EastUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 270
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, CirclevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 23 South: Circleville
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
15
Merge onto US 23
2.8 mi·4 min·South High Street
16
Continue on US 23
37 mi·47 min·Portsmouth - Columbus Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·42 min·US 23
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
19
Continue on SR 823
17 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Merge onto US 52
19 mi·21 min·US 52
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
22
Enter roundabout onto SR 93
48 ft·0 sec·Park Avenue
23
Continue on SR 93
0.3 mi·32 sec·Park Avenue
24
Turn right onto South 6th Street
371 ft·21 sec·South 6th Street
25
Turn left onto Center Street
183 ft·8 sec·Center Street
26
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach your destination by afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks and fuel needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be around 118 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so plan accordingly. Given the relatively short distance, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if 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 124.2 miles from Parma, OH, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 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 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parma, 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 Parma, OH
This is one driving day of about 248.4 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Parma, 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 118.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 139.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 3 / Ridge Road
Turn left onto SR 3 / Ridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
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 101
Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
8
137.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
7
138 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 East
8
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.17 one way
$76.34 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$43.05
$86.10
premium
$4.99
$48.77
$97.54
diesel
$4.80
$46.90
$93.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.08
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.78
$15.90
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Parma, OH
Morning
in Parma on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Ironton, OH
Morning
in Ironton on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 7 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
1 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 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 179.9
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway drive, with 70% of it on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of driving on I 71 for 118.3 miles. The route transitions from highway to surface roads, indicated by the change in road types. Be prepared for a noticeable increase in exit density as you approach more populated areas.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Portsmouth - Columbus Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 3 / Ridge Road.
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 21 significant decision points across 248.4 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: at 0.6 miles (SR 3 / Ridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,306 ft539 ft
Total Climb
833 ft
Total Descent
1,145 ft
Highest Point
1,306 ft
~71 mi in
Elevation Range
768 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Parma, OH and Ironton, OH, road signs point toward Grove City and Circleville.
Grove City
137.5 mi in|~2h 39m
Circleville
139.8 mi in|~2h 43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 248.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on I 71. 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 Ironton, 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 0.6 miles (SR 3 / Ridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ironton, OH before the return drive.
