The drive from Columbus, OH to Charlestown, OH covers 148.3 miles and takes about 2h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 71, I 76, SR 5 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.5 miles on I 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.02 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.1 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 148.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 52m highway drive covering 148.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and I 76. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.5 miles on I 71.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 148.3 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 71, I 670 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 71, I 670 East
8
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North, I 670 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North, I 670 East
8
101.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
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 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
101.9 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
8
140.2 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: Ravenna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: Ravenna
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 Charlestown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
Akron
101.6 mi in|~1h 54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 76
35.6 mi
42m
SR 5
7.1 mi
8m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Rock Spring Road
0.7 mi
1m
East Long Street
0.6 mi
1m
Cleveland Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
South High Street
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Charlestown, OH.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East State Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East State Street
3
Turn right onto South High Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South High Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto US 33
0.6 mi·1 min·East Long Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto SR 3
0.4 mi·1 min·Cleveland Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
197 ft·4 sec
Toward I 71, I 670 EastUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 71 North, I 670 EastUse the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
17 mi·20 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 38BToward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: RavennaUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto SR 5; SR 44
0.4 mi·34 sec·SR 5; SR 44
18
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 5; SR 44
6.6 mi·8 min·SR 5; SR 44
19
Turn left onto Rock Spring Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Rock Spring Road
20
Turn right onto Newton Falls Road
69 ft·1 sec·Newton Falls Road
21
Arrive at destination
Newton Falls Road
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.1 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.1 miles or 1h 24m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlestown, 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.
+
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 Columbus, OH
This is one driving day of about 148.3 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Columbus, 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 99.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.1 mi from Columbus, OH
· 1h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 122.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.02 one way
$46.03 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.54
$51.09
premium
$4.91
$28.66
$57.32
diesel
$5.61
$32.74
$65.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kent, Ohio
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Kent, Ohio
Blink
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Kent, Ohio
EVgo
1 DCFC
Flo Charging Station
Tallmadge, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Flo Charging Station
Tallmadge, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Flo Charging Station
Tallmadge, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kent, Ohio
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kent, OH
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 8
Other: 3
Blink: 1
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
EV Truck/SUV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Columbus, OH
Afternoon
in Columbus on Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Charlestown, OH
Afternoon
in Charlestown on Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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 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 Charlestown, OH covers 148.3 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, SR 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.1 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 $23.02 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 148.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Columbus, OH to Charlestown, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Akron along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
