Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Parma, OH to Rarden, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
227.5 mi
366 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parma, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Rarden, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Trip Overview
Parma, OH to Rarden, OH is 227.5 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 71 and US 23, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Ohio, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes interstate highways before transitioning to more rural state and US routes. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's a manageable one-day drive for most travelers.
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
113.7 miles from Parma, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 118.3 mi | 2h 9m |
| Portsmouth - Columbus Road | 36.5 mi | 47m |
| US 23 | 20.4 mi | 28m |
| James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| Ridge Road | 14.8 mi | 24m |
| SR 73 | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| 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
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 Parma, OH and Rarden, 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 101
Toward I 270: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 270 East: Stringtown Road, Grove City
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 270 East
Use 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 52
Toward US 23 North, US 23 South: High Street, Circleville
Use 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
20 mi
·
28 min
·
US 23
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
19
Turn right onto SR 32; SR 124
20 mi
·
23 min
·
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
319 ft
·
15 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 73
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 73
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
SR 73
Trip Plan
For this 4-and-a-half-hour drive, leaving Parma in the morning should allow you to reach Rarden with plenty of daylight to spare. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 118.3 miles on I 71, so plan for a break before or shortly after you transition off the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto US 23, as services may become less frequent compared to the interstate.
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 113.7 miles from Parma, OH, or about 2h 13m 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.7 miles or 2h 13m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rarden, 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 227.5 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The Woods At Dornoch Estates, OH
Meal breakThe midpoint is around 113.7 miles from Parma, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.3 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
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lee M. Rizor Memorial Highway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
2.5 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 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
$34.96 one way
$69.92 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $39.43 | $78.85 |
| premium | $4.99 | $44.67 | $89.33 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.96 | $85.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.89 | $10.92 |
| Efficient EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.91 | $9.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91 | 1 | $31.85 | $14.56 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Parma, OH
Morning in Parma on Sunday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 15 mph
98% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:24PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:22PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Rarden, OH
Morning in Rarden on Sunday
Local time
6:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph
61% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:24PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:22PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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
3 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 39m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 180.4
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 7.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this drive, about 66%, is on interstate highways, offering a consistent cruising experience for the first leg. You'll cover 118.3 miles on I 71, which means you'll encounter a good number of exits and potentially some merging traffic before leaving the interstate system. After the interstate portion, the route shifts to roads like Portsmouth - Columbus Road and US 23, which will feel more like typical state highway driving with fewer exits and potentially more local traffic.
66% 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: 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 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 227.5 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
1,304 ft
567 ft
Total Climb
639 ft
Total Descent
883 ft
Highest Point
1,304 ft
~81.2 mi in
Elevation Range
737 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.
Between Parma, OH and Rarden, OH, road signs point toward Grove City and Circleville.
Grove City
137.5 mi in
|
~2h 39m
Circleville
139.8 mi in
|
~2h 43m
About the Cities
Starting in Parma, OH
Full guide →Founded 1816
Arriving in Rarden, OH
Full guide →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 4h 39m. Total distance: 227.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 Rarden, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Rarden, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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