Origin
Coal Grove, OH
Morning in Coal Grove on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coal Grove, OH to Columbus, OH
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
117.1 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coal Grove, OH
Braeson Holland
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 117.1-mile drive from Coal Grove, OH to Columbus, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip. You can expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes, making it an easy excursion. The route primarily utilizes US 23 and US 52, with a significant portion on the Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway, accounting for 77% highway travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day out. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout your travels.
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
58.6 miles from Coal Grove, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 77% of the route featuring higher-speed roads. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 68 miles on US 23, offering a consistent pace. The Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway likely provides a modern, efficient driving experience. While the profile is highway-focused, transitions between these main roads are part of the journey, offering some variation in the immediate surroundings as you progress toward Columbus.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and US 52. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.1 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 243 / Marion Pike): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 243 / Marion Pike
Turn right onto SR 243 / Marion Pike
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 52 West: Portsmouth
Navigation decision point
Toward US 52 West: Portsmouth
6
39.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 16
Toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
7
73.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 68 mi | 1h 29m |
| US 52 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway | 16.4 mi | 17m |
| South High Street | 9 mi | 17m |
| East State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Marion Pike | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Carlton Davidson Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 68 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coal Grove, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on this road
101 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
310 ft
·
23 sec
3
Turn left onto Carlton Davidson Lane
356 ft
·
18 sec
·
Carlton Davidson Lane
4
Turn right onto SR 243
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Marion Pike
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 52 West: Portsmouth
6
Merge onto US 52
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US 52
7
Take the exit onto SR 823
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward SR 823 North: Chillicothe
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 16
Toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
9
Merge onto US 23
34 mi
·
45 min
·
US 23
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
34 mi
·
44 min
·
US 23
Toward US 23 North: Columbus
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 23
9.0 mi
·
17 min
·
South High Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto East State Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
East State Street
13
Continue on East State Street
106 ft
·
3 sec
·
East State Street
14
Turn right
88 ft
·
6 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour 32-minute duration and 117.1-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll likely only need one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits could be around 68 miles on US 23. Planning to refuel before entering this longer segment is a practical tip. The estimated fuel cost of $18 suggests filling up before you leave Coal Grove will likely cover the entire 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Coal Grove, OH, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 59m
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 Coal Grove, 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 Coal Grove, OH
This is one driving day of about 117.1 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Coal Grove, 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 US 23 for about 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Coal Grove, OH · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Coal Grove, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Columbus, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.17 one way
$36.35 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $20.17 | $40.34 |
| premium | $4.91 | $22.63 | $45.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.85 | $51.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.30 | $5.62 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Morning in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 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
18 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
2h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Coal Grove, OH to Columbus, OH covers 117.1 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, US 52, Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Coal Grove, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.17 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 243 / Marion Pike): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Coal Grove, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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