This 106.6-mile drive from Portsmouth to Cincinnati, Ohio, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. Primarily utilizing the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway and SR 73, you'll experience a mixed drive profile. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, this route offers an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and lack of designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and set your own pace. The journey offers a practical way to connect these two Ohio cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.3 miles from Portsmouth, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
55 mi
1h 8m
SR 73
30.2 mi
44m
Circle Freeway
10 mi
11m
I 471
5.4 mi
6m
Ronald Reagan Highway
1.6 mi
1m
2nd Street
1.5 mi
3m
Reading Road
0.6 mi
1m
William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 55 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on this road
73 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
74 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right onto US 23; SR 73; SR 104
1.5 mi·3 min·2nd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn straight onto SR 73; SR 104
4.8 mi·6 min·SR 73; SR 104
5
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 73
25 mi·37 min·SR 73
6
Turn left onto SR 32
55 mi·1 hr 8 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 South: Kentucky
8
Merge onto I 275
10.0 mi·11 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 74BToward I 471 North: Newport, CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 471
5.4 mi·6 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 71
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 2Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park DriveUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft·12 sec
Toward US 42 North: Reading RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto US 42
0.6 mi·1 min·Reading Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Burnet Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Burnet Avenue
17
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
19
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 106.6-mile, 2-hour and 23-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day in Cincinnati or allow for a relaxed pace. While no specific stops are listed, the manageable distance means you can easily incorporate brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the midway point of your longest stretch of 55 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and plan your refill accordingly. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests being prepared for potential changes in speed limits and road conditions as you navigate from the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway through SR 73 and onto the Circle Freeway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.3 miles from Portsmouth, OH, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.3 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth, OH
This is one driving day of about 106.6 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Portsmouth, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 55 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 23; SR 73; SR 104 / 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 23; SR 73; SR 104 / 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
104.8 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
104.9 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
6
105.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|William Howard Taft Road
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.54 one way
$33.09 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$18.36
$36.72
premium
$4.91
$20.60
$41.20
diesel
$5.61
$23.54
$47.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32
0
$11.19
$5.12
Efficient EV
26.7
0
$9.33
$4.26
EV Truck/SUV
42.6
0
$14.92
$6.82
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Portsmouth, OH
Late night
in Portsmouth on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Late night
in Cincinnati on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph9% chanceLive 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
11 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
2h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 29.4
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?
Expect a mixed drive on this 106.6-mile journey, with 43% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55 miles along the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, offering a sustained period of travel. As you transition between the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, SR 73, and the Circle Freeway, the road's character will likely evolve, shifting from potentially more open highway to perhaps more varied terrain or local road segments. This blend means you'll experience different driving sensations throughout the 2-hour and 23-minute trip.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 23; SR 73; SR 104 / 2nd Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 106.6 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 (US 23; SR 73; SR 104 / 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Portsmouth is a city in Southwest Ohio, it is the county seat of Scioto County. Portsmouth is full of history so take time to visit the antique shops, cafes and pubs in the Bonneyfiddle District. One of the main attractions in Portsmouth is the 2,200-foot floodwall mural painted by famed artist Robert Dafford. It is truly amazing and unique.
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 106.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 23; SR 73; SR 104 / 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cincinnati, OH before heading back.
