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Trip from Columbus, OH to Arlington, OH

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

81.5 mi

131 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

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

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Arlington, OH, OH

Arlington, OH

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

This 81.5-mile drive from Columbus, OH to Arlington, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 52 minutes. With 85% of the route on highways, it's a convenient option for a day trip, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $13. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape as you travel north. You won't need to worry about overnight stays for this relatively short distance. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

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

40.7 miles from Columbus, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this trip, with 85% of your journey utilizing major roadways. The route is characterized by stretches of efficient travel, including one uninterrupted segment of 22.3 miles on SR 31. You'll navigate primarily on SR 31, US 33, and United States Highway 68. This highway-focused profile suggests consistent speeds and a clear path, minimizing complex turns or slow-downs. It’s a drive designed for making good time rather than lingering on scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 31 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 31 and US 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South High Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.5 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South High Street

Turn left onto South High Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Civic Center Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
7.1 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 270

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 93 Toward I 270
8
16.1 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 17B Toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville
8
33.4 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 31: Kenton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward SR 31: Kenton

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Columbus, OH to Arlington, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.

Kenton

33.1 mi in | ~40m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
SR 31 22.3 mi 32m
US 33 16.7 mi 18m
United States Highway 68 8.5 mi 12m
State Route 31 8.4 mi 11m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway 8 mi 9m
Main Street 7.9 mi 11m
West Freeway 5.6 mi 6m
South Innerbelt 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: SR 31 — 22.3 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

77 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto East State Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East State Street
3

Turn left onto South High Street

494 ft · 20 sec · South High Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto West Town Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Town Street
5

At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Civic Center Drive
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on South 2nd Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I-70 West
8

Merge onto I 70

0.6 mi · 49 sec · South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Continue on I 70

5.6 mi · 6 min · West Freeway
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 93 Toward I 270 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 270 North: Cleveland Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 270

8.0 mi · 9 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 17B Toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville Use the right lane.
14

Merge onto US 33; SR 161

17 mi · 18 min · US 33; SR 161
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 92 Toward SR 4 North, SR 31: Marion, Kenton
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward SR 31: Kenton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

370 ft · 9 sec
Toward SR 31: Kenton
18

Keep slight left at fork

419 ft · 12 sec
Toward Maple Street
19

Turn right onto SR 31

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Maple Street
20

Continue on SR 31

0.8 mi · 1 min · State Route 31
21

Enter roundabout onto State Route 31

92 ft · 1 sec · State Route 31
22

Continue on State Route 31

7.6 mi · 10 min · State Route 31
23

Continue on SR 31

22 mi · 32 min · SR 31
24

Turn left onto West Eliza Street

358 ft · 17 sec · West Eliza Street
25

Turn right onto US 68

0.3 mi · 41 sec · North Detroit Street
26

Continue on US 68

8.5 mi · 12 min · United States Highway 68
27

Continue on US 68

7.9 mi · 11 min · Main Street
28

Turn right onto East Liberty Street

205 ft · 10 sec · East Liberty Street
29

Turn left

98 ft · 7 sec
30

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 1 hour and 52-minute duration and 81.5-mile length, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic around Columbus. With the longest stretch being 22.3 miles on SR 31, you'll find opportunities for quick stops if needed, though with only 0 listed stops, it's designed for efficiency. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $13, and plan your refueling accordingly before you depart or at a convenient point along US 33.

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 40.7 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.3 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 18 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.7 miles or 52m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, OH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Columbus, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Columbus, OH

This is one driving day of about 81.5 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Columbus, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SR 31 for about 22.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.7 mi from Columbus, OH · 52m into the drive

Downtown North Lewisburg, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Lewisburg, OH

41 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

Dublin, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Lewisburg, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from Columbus, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Arlington, OH

The final approach into Arlington, 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

$12.65 one way

$25.30 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $14.04 $28.08
premium $4.91 $15.75 $31.50
diesel $5.61 $17.99 $35.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.5 0 $8.56 $3.91
Efficient EV 20.4 0 $7.13 $3.26
EV Truck/SUV 32.6 0 $11.41 $5.22

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Thursday

Local time

12:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, OH

Late night in Arlington on Thursday

Local time

12:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

10 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 52m 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 Columbus, OH to Arlington, OH covers 81.5 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 31, US 33, United States Highway 68. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.7 miles from Columbus, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.65 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.5 miles you will encounter 22 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: at 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Columbus, OH to Arlington, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.

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