The drive from Columbus, OH to Powell, OH covers 86.5 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on SR 37, New Albany Bypass, US 36 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.8 miles on SR 37.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.42 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.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 86.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 50m highway drive covering 86.5 miles, with most of the trip on SR 37 and New Albany Bypass. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.8 miles on SR 37.
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 37 is the longest continuous segment at about 38.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 37 and New Albany Bypass. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.6 miles (East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (Northeast Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South High Street
Turn right onto South High Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|East Chestnut Street
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|Northeast Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Northeast Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
7.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 10A
Toward I 270 North
7
10.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward Morse Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 32
Toward Morse Road
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SR 37
38.8 mi
42m
New Albany Bypass
10.5 mi
11m
US 36
9.3 mi
12m
SR 16
8.9 mi
12m
Northeast Freeway
6.4 mi
7m
Morse Road
3.2 mi
5m
Johnstown Road
2.6 mi
3m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
SR 37
— 38.8 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Powell, 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
0.5 mi·1 min·South High Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·East Chestnut Street
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 23
0.2 mi·32 sec·North 4th Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Northeast Freeway
6.4 mi·7 min·Northeast Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 North, SR 161: Easton Way
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 10AToward I 270 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 270
2.2 mi·2 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 32Toward Morse RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Morse Road
3.2 mi·5 min·Morse Road
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 62
245 ft·3 sec·Johnstown Road
13
Continue on US 62
1.1 mi·1 min·Johnstown Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto US 62
111 ft·1 sec·Johnstown Road
15
Continue on US 62
1.2 mi·1 min·Johnstown Road
16
Enter roundabout onto US 62
99 ft·1 sec·West Main Street
17
Continue on US 62
0.7 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
18
Continue on US 62
0.3 mi·25 sec·Johnstown Road
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
20
Merge onto SR 161
11 mi·11 min·New Albany Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on SR 37
39 mi·42 min·SR 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on SR 16
8.9 mi·12 min·SR 16
23
Continue on US 36; SR 83
9.3 mi·12 min·US 36; SR 83
24
Turn left onto County Road 93
1.4 mi·5 min·County Road 93
25
Turn sharp right onto Township Road 172
428 ft·18 sec·Township Road 172
26
Arrive at destination
Township Road 172
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 43.2 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 54m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Powell, 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 86.5 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Columbus, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SR 37 for about 38.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.2 mi from Columbus, OH
· 54m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.42 one way
$26.85 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$14.90
$29.80
premium
$4.91
$16.72
$33.44
diesel
$5.61
$19.10
$38.20
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: 30.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.08
$4.15
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.57
$3.46
EV Truck/SUV
34.6
0
$12.11
$5.54
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Late night
in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Powell, OH
Late night
in Powell on Saturday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Newark, OH
43 mi in
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
17 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 50m 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 Powell, OH covers 86.5 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 37, New Albany Bypass, US 36. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.2 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 $13.42 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 86.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.6 miles (East Chestnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (Northeast Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Columbus, OH to Powell, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
