If you are planning to travel from Troy to Columbus, you are looking at a straightforward 76.2-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to consider an overnight split. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the journey through the heart of the Midwest. Because the trip is so efficient, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for work or a quick getaway. You will stay within Ohio for the duration of your travel, keeping the transition between these two Midwestern cities seamless and easy to navigate.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.1 miles from Troy, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
51.5 mi
55m
SR 571
7.3 mi
10m
State Route 202
5.3 mi
7m
I 670
3.6 mi
4m
North Medway-Carlisle Road
2 mi
2m
Spangler Road
1.6 mi
2m
Medway-New Carlisle Road
1.2 mi
1m
North Third Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 51.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Troy, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on I 75 Business; SR 41; SR 55
8 ft·0 sec·Public Square
2
Continue
116 ft·4 sec
3
Turn slight right onto SR 41
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Turn straight onto SR 41
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 41
5
Turn right onto SR 202
5.3 mi·7 min·State Route 202
6
Turn left onto SR 571
7.3 mi·10 min·SR 571
7
Turn right onto SR 571
2.0 mi·2 min·North Medway-Carlisle Road
8
Continue on Medway-New Carlisle Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Medway-New Carlisle Road
9
Continue on Sycamore Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·Sycamore Street
10
Continue on CR 335
1.6 mi·2 min·Spangler Road
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 26AToward I 70 East, SR 4 North: ColumbusUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
2.3 mi·2 min·I 70; SR 4
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
3.6 mi·4 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 4A–BToward US 23: Third Street, Fourth StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 4AToward US 23 South: Third Street
17
Turn straight onto US 23
0.9 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
Because this drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to avoid peak commuting hours if you want the smoothest transition from the local roads onto the interstate. Since the longest stretch on I-70 lasts over 50 miles, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Troy to comfortably cover the $11 estimated cost. There are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, but feel free to pace yourself however you prefer. Keep a close eye on the transition points between State Route 202 and the interstate to ensure you stay on track during the first leg of your journey.
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 38.1 miles from Troy, OH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.1 miles or 48m 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 17m
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 Troy, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Troy, OH
This is one driving day of about 76.2 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Troy, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 51.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.4 and 75.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 26A
Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
6
22.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
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 4A–B
Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
7
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 23 South: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4A
Toward US 23 South: Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.83 one way
$23.65 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$13.13
$26.25
premium
$4.91
$14.73
$29.45
diesel
$5.61
$16.82
$33.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.9
0
$8.00
$3.66
Efficient EV
19.1
0
$6.67
$3.05
EV Truck/SUV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 15, 2026
Origin
Troy, OH
Morning
in Troy on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, OH
Morning
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
7 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
1h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 18.4
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-70, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.5 miles. While the drive begins with local navigation via SR 571 and State Route 202, the character of the road shifts quickly once you merge onto the interstate. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. You can anticipate a consistent pace behind the wheel, making it a predictable trip for those who prefer straightforward interstate driving.
90% 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: 51.5 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and SR 571. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 76.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on I 70. 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 Columbus, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. 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 Columbus, OH before heading back.
