Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Salem, OH to Columbus, OH

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

161.8 mi

260 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Salem, OH, OH

Salem, OH

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 161.8-mile drive from Salem, OH to Columbus, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take around 3 hours and 16 minutes, with a fuel cost estimated at $25. The route primarily utilizes I-71 and I-76, making up 92% of the drive. This journey through Ohio's Midwest region is efficient, allowing you to get from point A to point B without much fuss. It's a practical option for a quick trip, whether for business or leisure, with ample opportunity to reach your destination with time to spare.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

80.9 miles from Salem, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 98.8 mi 1h 46m
US 224 28.5 mi 40m
I 76 17.4 mi 20m
Cleveland East Liverpool Road 8.3 mi 12m
State Route 14 3.4 mi 5m
Benton Road 1.3 mi 2m
Northeast Freeway 0.8 mi 1m
North Third Street 0.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem, OH and Columbus, OH.

1

Start on SR 9

30 ft · 8 sec · South Ellsworth Avenue
2

Turn left onto SR 14; SR 173

0.6 mi · 1 min · West State Street
3

Turn right onto SR 14

1.3 mi · 2 min · Benton Road
4

Continue on SR 14

8.3 mi · 12 min · Cleveland East Liverpool Road
5

Continue on SR 14

3.4 mi · 5 min · State Route 14
6

Enter roundabout onto US 224; SR 225

0.1 mi · 11 sec · US 224; SR 225
7

Continue on US 224; SR 225

5.1 mi · 7 min · US 224; SR 225
8

Continue on US 224; SR 183

0.5 mi · 57 sec · US 224; SR 183
9

Turn left onto US 224

23 mi · 31 min · US 224
Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto I 76; US 224

17 mi · 20 min · I 76; US 224
11

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Exit 1A Toward I 71 South: Columbus Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 71

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 109A Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto I 670

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Northeast Freeway
16

Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Northeast Freeway
Toward US 23 South
17

Turn straight onto US 23

0.7 mi · 2 min · North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn right onto East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street
Use the right lane.
19

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 16-minute duration, this trip is best suited for a single-day adventure. Departing in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Columbus with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 98.8-mile stretch on I-71, as services can be spaced out on interstates. A practical tip is to ensure your navigation is set to avoid tolls if you prefer, though this route is already heavily highway-focused.

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 80.9 miles from Salem, OH, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 36 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.9 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, OH

This is one driving day of about 161.8 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Salem, 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 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wooster, OH

81 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

Logtown, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.9 miles from Salem, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16142245461

Visit website

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.4 mi

Dragon Land Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Worthington, Ohio

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

0.4 mi

Java Central Café and Roaster

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Westerville, Ohio

2.5 mi

4th & State

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16142245461

Visit website

Haveli Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16148675008

Visit website

Dragon Land Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Worthington, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16148479991

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16146213287

Visit website

The Eagle | Short North

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16147453397

Visit website

Yanni's Greek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16148904775

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Polaris, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16148851800

Visit website

Buckeye Food Stop

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Bottoms Up Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+16146622212

Visit website

Cure Coffee and Cocktails

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Java Central Café and Roaster

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Westerville, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16148390698

Visit website

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Flo Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Tallmadge, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

Flo Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Tallmadge, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

Flo Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Tallmadge, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Columbus, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+16142025197

Visit website

Millstone Creek Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Westerville, Ohio

+16149016500

Visit website

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 13.7 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
13.7 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 224; SR 225

Enter roundabout onto US 224; SR 225

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
59.6 mi into trip | ~1h 22m 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
8
159.6 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton

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 109A Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
7
159.9 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 670 West: Dayton
6
161.7 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | East State Street

Turn right onto East State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.11 one way

$50.22 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $27.87 $55.74
premium $4.91 $31.27 $62.54
diesel $5.61 $35.72 $71.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.5 0 $16.99 $7.77
Efficient EV 40.5 0 $14.16 $6.47
EV Truck/SUV 64.7 0 $22.65 $10.36

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 21, 2026

Origin

Salem, OH

Morning in Salem on Tuesday

Local time

6:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, OH

Morning in Columbus on Tuesday

Local time

6:57 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

16 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

3h 16m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 92% of the route on major interstates like I-71 and I-76. You'll encounter a significant 98.8-mile stretch on I-71, offering a consistent pace. While the highway focus means you'll cover ground quickly, be prepared for the characteristic feel of interstate travel. The majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed roads, so expect a smooth, albeit less varied, driving experience. US 224 also plays a role, offering a slight shift before rejoining the faster routes.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 around 13.7 miles in near US 224; SR 225.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 161.8 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 13.7 miles (US 224; SR 225): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Salem, OH

Full guide →

Salem is a city of 12,000 people (2019) in Columbiana County, Ohio. The city is an exurb of Youngstown, and is the commercial hub of northwestern Columbiana County, and home to Allegheny Wesleyan College and Kent State University at Salem.

Arriving in Columbus, OH

Full guide →

Founded 1812

Columbus is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state as the core of the Greater Columbus area. Sited in an area where the Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Farm Belt meet, Columbus is a fusion of many different parts of America. It is the home of the Ohio State University. The combination of Ohio Government and the Ohio State University has fueled amazing growth both financially and physically in Columbus. It has created a business and research environment that has provided substantial employment opportunities to the diverse ethnic and local graduates of the Ohio State University, and other academic institutions in Columbus. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), is projected to be one of the top 50 supercomputers in the world and among the top 10 supercomputing academic centers.

Top landmarks

  • • Ohio Stadium — stadium in Columbus, Ohio, USA
  • • Columbus Museum of Art — Museum in Columbus, Ohio, United States
  • • Wexner Center for the Arts — center at Ohio State University

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 3h 16m. Total distance: 161.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.8 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 Columbus, 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 13.7 miles (US 224; SR 225): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbus, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Columbus, OH

Ashtabula, OH 195.2 mi · 3h 45m Thompson, OH 182.2 mi · 3h 28m Fayette, OH 180.9 mi · 3h 41m Campbell, OH 177 mi · 3h 26m

More trips to Columbus, OH

Montpelier, OH 188.8 mi Austinburg, OH 188.4 mi New Waterford, OH 185.8 mi Geneva, OH 184.6 mi Cortland, OH 179.3 mi Poland, OH 178.4 mi
Escape planner: Salem, OH Scenic drives in OH

Explore more options from Salem, OH or browse trips ending in Columbus, OH.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.