Origin
Bethlehem, OH
Evening in Bethlehem on Wednesday
Local time
8:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
73.7 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH covers 73.7 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Route 61, Brannon Road, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Bethlehem, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 26m drive with frequent turns across 73.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 61 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH is easy. At 1h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 61 | — | — |
| Brannon Road | — | — |
| West Main Street | — | — |
| North Thoman Street | — | — |
| US 30 West | — | — |
| SR 598 | — | — |
| State Route 598 | — | — |
| Portland Way North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
State Route 61
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on the route
72 ft
·
10 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto State Route 61
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Route 61
3
Continue on State Route 61
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
State Route 61
4
Keep slight left to continue on State Route 61
433 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Route 61
5
Continue on Brannon Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Brannon Road
6
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
7
Continue straight
0.8 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn right onto West Main Street
417 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Main Street
9
Turn left onto North Thoman Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Thoman Street
10
Continue on State Route 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 61
11
Take the ramp right toward US 30 West: Bucyrus
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 30 West: Bucyrus
12
Merge slight left
1.9 mi
·
1 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward SR 598: Galion, Shelby
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
SR 598: Galion, Shelby
14
Turn left onto State Route 598
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Route 598
15
Continue on Portland Way North
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Portland Way North
16
Continue straight
2.8 mi
·
3 min
17
Turn left onto State Route 61
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 61
18
Continue on North Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
19
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
20
Turn slight left onto State Route 61
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 61
21
Continue on Sunbury State Road
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sunbury State Road
22
Continue on State Route 61
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 61
23
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
24
Merge slight left
30 mi
·
32 min
25
Take the exit slight right toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
26
Keep slight right to continue on I 670 West: Dayton
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 670 West: Dayton
27
Merge slight left onto Northeast Freeway
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
28
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Freeway
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
29
Turn straight onto North Third Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Third Street
30
Turn right onto East State Street
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
East State Street
31
Turn right
89 ft
·
7 sec
32
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 36.9 miles from Bethlehem, OH, or about 43m into the drive.
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 16 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 43m 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 13m
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 Bethlehem, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bethlehem, OH
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Bethlehem, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.9 mi from Bethlehem, OH · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from Bethlehem, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbus, OH
The final approach into Columbus, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.44 one way
$22.88 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $12.69 | $25.39 |
| premium | $4.91 | $14.24 | $28.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.27 | $32.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Columbus, OH
Evening in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
8:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Mount Gilead, OH
37 mi in
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
15 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
1h 26m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH covers 73.7 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 61, Brannon Road, West Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.9 miles from Bethlehem, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH is easy. At 1h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Bethlehem, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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