Origin
Columbus, OH
Evening in Columbus on Thursday
Local time
6:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbus, OH to Forest, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
76.1 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 76.1-mile drive from Columbus, OH to Forest, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. Primarily utilizing SR 31, US 33, and SR 53, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest region. You won't need to worry about overnight stays; this route is designed for direct travel. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B in Ohio.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.1 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 76.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.8 miles on SR 31. This road profile suggests a consistent driving experience, largely free from the stop-and-go traffic often found on more complex routes. The transition between SR 31, US 33, and SR 53 is designed for smooth flow, so you can anticipate a relatively uninterrupted journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 22.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft
818 ft
Total Climb
215 ft
Total Descent
103 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~48.9 mi in
Elevation Range
215 ft
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.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.1 miles you will encounter 19 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 19 key pointsThese 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 Forest, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.
Kenton
33.1 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 31 | 22.8 mi | 33m |
| US 33 | 16.7 mi | 18m |
| SR 53 | 10.9 mi | 18m |
| State Route 31 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Jack Nicklaus Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| South Innerbelt | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Town Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
SR 31
— 22.8 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Forest, 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
23 mi
·
33 min
·
SR 31
24
Continue on SR 53
11 mi
·
18 min
·
SR 53
25
Turn right onto SR 37; SR 53
488 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Lima Street
26
Arrive at destination
SR 37; SR 53
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but consider an early morning start to maximize your day at your destination. Since there are no specified stops, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps utilizing the longer stretches on SR 31 to settle in. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the $12 estimated cost is for the entire journey and refueling options might be less frequent on some highway segments. This is a route where you can easily adjust your timing on the fly.
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 38.1 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.8 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.1 miles or 48m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest, 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 76.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 22.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.1 mi from Columbus, OH · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from Columbus, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Forest, OH
The final approach into Forest, 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
$11.81 one way
$23.62 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $13.11 | $26.22 |
| premium | $4.91 | $14.71 | $29.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.80 | $33.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.99 | $3.65 |
| Efficient EV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Forest, OH
Evening in Forest on Thursday
Local time
6:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
2 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 46m 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 Forest, OH covers 76.1 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 31, US 33, SR 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.1 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 $11.81 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 76.1 miles you will encounter 19 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 Forest, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 818 ft to 1,034 ft elevation with about 215 ft of total climbing.
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