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Trip from Wickliffe, OH to Columbus, OH

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

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

154.3 mi

248 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 43m ★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lake County, Ohio, United States

Wickliffe, OH

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 154.6-mile drive from Wickliffe, OH to Columbus, OH is a straightforward, single-day trip, easily completed in about 2 hours and 25 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical option for exploring more of Ohio. The route primarily uses local roads, including Ridge Road and Maplegrove Road, offering a more connected feel to the landscape than a typical interstate journey. Since there are no designated stops and the highway share is 0%, this drive is best suited for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience. It's a practical choice for a quick getaway within the Midwest region.

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

77.2 miles from Wickliffe, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 110.2 mi 1h 59m
I 271 24.3 mi 26m
Outerbelt East Freeway 16.2 mi 20m
Northeast Freeway 0.8 mi 1m
North Third Street 0.7 mi 2m
Ridge Road 0.6 mi 1m
I 90 0.3 mi <1m
Maplegrove Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 110.2 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Country Club Drive

200 ft · 12 sec · Country Club Drive
2

Turn right onto SR 84

0.6 mi · 1 min · Ridge Road
3

Turn right onto Maplegrove Road

502 ft · 21 sec · Maplegrove Road
4

Turn right onto SR 91

255 ft · 6 sec · S.O.M. Center Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 90 West: Cleveland
6

Merge onto I 90

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 90
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

12 mi · 15 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
Exit 188 Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

4.0 mi · 5 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271

24 mi · 26 min · I 271
Use the slight left lane.
10

Merge onto I 71

110 mi · 1 hr 59 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 670

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Northeast Freeway
14

Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Northeast Freeway
Toward US 23 South
15

Turn straight onto US 23

0.7 mi · 2 min · North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street
Use the right lane.
17

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 25-minute duration and 154.6-mile length, this trip is ideal for a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination in Columbus. Since it's a turn-heavy route with no specific longest stretch, pace yourself and stay alert, especially as you navigate through local roads like Ridge Road and Maplegrove Road. The $23 fuel cost is minimal, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Enjoy the flexibility this shorter, local road drive offers.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.2 miles from Wickliffe, OH, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 34 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.2 miles or 1h 28m 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 21m

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 Wickliffe, 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 Wickliffe, OH

This is one driving day of about 154.3 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Wickliffe, 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 110.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

77 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

Macedonia, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.2 miles from Wickliffe, 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 110.2 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

No Fork Restaurant- Beachwood

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Beachwood, 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

Moonbird Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Ohio

2.6 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

No Fork Restaurant- Beachwood

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Beachwood, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12163424133

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

Dragon Land Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Worthington, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16148479991

Visit website

Cafe Europa Bistro

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Willoughby, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14409438914

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

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

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

Java Central Café and Roaster

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Westerville, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16148390698

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Macedonia, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Beachwood, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Twinsburg, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

Twinsburg, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Flo Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Bedford Heights, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Chevrolet Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Bedford Heights, Ohio

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003239935

Visit website

The Maltz Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beachwood, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12165930575

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

Coulby Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wickliffe, Ohio

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+14409437120

Visit website

Squire's Castle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willoughby Hills, Ohio

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12166353200

Visit website

Nature Center At Shaker Lakes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Cleveland, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12163215935

Visit website

Millstone Creek Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 152.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 188
8
13.7 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway toward I 271 South, I 480 East: Columbus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 271 South, I 480 East: Columbus
6
17.7 mi into trip | ~23m 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.
8
152.2 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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
152.5 mi into trip | ~2h 50m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.95 one way

$47.89 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $26.58 $53.15
premium $4.91 $29.82 $59.64
diesel $5.61 $34.07 $68.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.3 0 $16.20 $7.41
Efficient EV 38.6 0 $13.50 $6.17
EV Truck/SUV 61.7 0 $21.60 $9.88

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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 20, 2026

Origin

Wickliffe, OH

Morning in Wickliffe on Tuesday

Local time

6:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

64°F

Mansfield, OH

77 mi in

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

2 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 54m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 154.6-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The route is characterized by its frequent changes in direction, making it engaging rather than monotonous. There's no longest uninterrupted stretch noted, suggesting a continuous series of turns and local road navigation. This profile means you'll be actively steering and navigating through communities for the full 2 hours and 25 minutes. It’s a route that keeps you involved with the road, rather than letting you zone out on a straight highway.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 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 1.5 miles in near I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway.

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 16 significant decision points across 154.3 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 1.5 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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 2h 54m. Total distance: 154.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 110.2 miles on I 71. 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.

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 1.5 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbus, OH before heading back.

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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