Origin
South Russell, OH
Morning in South Russell on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Russell, OH to Cincinnati, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
253 mi
407 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Russell, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 253-mile journey from South Russell, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, a drive that typically takes about 4 hours and 51 minutes. This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of the travel on major interstates, making it an efficient option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, this drive through the Midwest region of Ohio is budget-friendly. Plan for just one recommended stop along the way. This direct path is ideal if you're looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
126.5 miles from South Russell, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 216.2 mi | 3h 58m |
| I 271 | 24.3 mi | 26m |
| Cannon Road | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| Solon Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Outerbelt East Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Bell Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| William Howard Taft Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Outerbelt South Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 216.2 mi, about 3h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Russell, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on Bell Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bell Road
2
Continue on Bell Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bell Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 35
109 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Turn slight right onto North Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Franklin Street
5
Turn right onto CR 11
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Maple Street
6
Continue on CR 11
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Solon Road
7
Turn right onto Cannon Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cannon Road
8
Continue on SR 175
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cannon Road
9
Continue on Rockside Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Rockside Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 480
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Outerbelt South Freeway
12
Merge onto I 271; I 480
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Outerbelt East Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 271
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 71
113 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
103 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 3A; 3B
Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Taft Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn straight onto William Howard Taft Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Calhoun Street
20
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ohio Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 51-minute duration, this 253-mile trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays and to arrive in Cincinnati with daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible about when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 216.2 miles on I-71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates.
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 126.5 miles from South Russell, OH, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216.2 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 27m 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 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 South Russell, 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 South Russell, OH
This is one driving day of about 253 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from South Russell, 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 216.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from South Russell, 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 216.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 251.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 271 South, I 480 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East
6
10.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 271
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
148 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
251.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
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 3A; 3B
Toward Taft Road, Martin Luther King Drive
7
251.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Taft Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward Taft Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.26 one way
$78.53 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $43.58 | $87.16 |
| premium | $4.91 | $48.90 | $97.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.86 | $111.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.14 | $10.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.42 | $16.19 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Morning in Cincinnati on Sunday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
9 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
4h 51m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is characterized by its efficiency, with a substantial 96% of the 253 miles on major interstates like I-71 and I-271. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 216.2 miles primarily on I-71. While the profile suggests a consistent highway experience, be prepared for the typical pace of interstate travel. The route is designed for covering distance quickly rather than for leisurely sightseeing, offering a predictable driving rhythm for most of the trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 216.2 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 271. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 253 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 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Cincinnati, OH
Full guide →Founded 1788
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
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 51m. Total distance: 253 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 216.2 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 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 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cincinnati, 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.
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