Origin
Harrison, OH
Morning in Harrison on Wednesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrison, OH to Cincinnati, OH
Data updated 14 minutes ago
Drive Time
30m
Distance
21.9 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrison, OH
Kian Mousazadeh
Cincinnati, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a short excursion within the Midwest, the 21.9-mile trip from Harrison to Cincinnati is an efficient choice. You can expect to reach your destination in approximately 30 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including the Northwest Expressway, the Circle Freeway, and Harrison Avenue, keeping your transit time to a minimum. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is a budget-friendly way to travel between these Ohio locations. Because the entire journey takes place within the same region, you will find the transition between the two points seamless and straightforward. This drive is best suited for those who prioritize speed and practicality over leisurely sightseeing.
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
11 miles from Harrison, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This 21.9-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a 14.7-mile stretch on the Northwest Expressway that accounts for the bulk of your travel time. As you navigate the transition from the Northwest Expressway to the Circle Freeway and finally onto Harrison Avenue, the environment shifts from suburban transit to the urban density of Cincinnati. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that favors efficiency over winding scenery. Expect a consistent pace behind the wheel, as there are no planned stops required to complete the route in its 30-minute duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northwest Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Northwest Expressway and Circle Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near New Haven Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 21.9 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 miles (New Haven Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles (US 27; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
New Haven Road
Turn left onto New Haven Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
8.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway toward I 75 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
6
18.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 27; US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27; US 52 toward I 75 South, US 27 South, US 127 South, US 52 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 27 South, US 127 South, U...
8
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 27; US 52
Take the exit onto US 27; US 52 toward US 27 South, US 127 South, US 52 East: Hopple Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3
Toward US 27 South, US 127 South, US 52 East: H...
6
21.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
West McMillan Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto West McMillan Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Expressway | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| Circle Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Harrison Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Martin Luther King Junior Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Clifton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Mill Creek Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West McMillan Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Northwest Expressway
— 14.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrison, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on South State Street
9 ft
·
4 sec
·
South State Street
2
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Avenue
3
Turn left onto New Haven Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
New Haven Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 74 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
5
Merge onto I 74; US 52
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 74; I 275; US 52
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74; US 52
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Northwest Expressway
Toward I 75 East, US 52 East: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27; US 52
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 27; US 52
Toward I 75 South, US 27 South, US 127 South, US 52 East: Lexington
9
Merge onto I 75; US 52; US 27
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Mill Creek Expressway
10
Take the exit onto US 27; US 52
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 27; US 52
Exit 3
Toward US 27 South, US 127 South, US 52 East: Hopple Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 27; US 52
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hopple Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on West Martin Luther King Junior Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Martin Luther King Junior Drive
13
Turn right onto Clifton Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto West McMillan Avenue
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
West McMillan Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Ohio Avenue
99 ft
·
3 sec
·
Ohio Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule without needing to worry about complex pacing or multi-day planning. While the 30-minute drive is brief, keep in mind that the heavy reliance on expressways means you should be prepared for typical commuter traffic patterns. You will not need to budget for extra fuel beyond the estimated $3, so you can focus your attention on navigating the highway interchanges. Make sure to check local traffic reports before heading out, especially if you are traveling during peak morning or evening hours. Taking advantage of the direct path via the Northwest Expressway will help you keep your travel time consistent and stress-free.
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 11 miles from Harrison, OH, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.7 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 21.9 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harrison, 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 Harrison, OH
This is one driving day of about 21.9 miles and 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Harrison, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Northwest Expressway for about 14.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11 mi from Harrison, OH · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11 miles from Harrison, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cincinnati, OH
The final approach into Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, 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
$3.40 one way
$6.80 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| premium | $4.91 | $4.23 | $8.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.84 | $9.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Cincinnati, OH
Morning in Cincinnati on Wednesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Danville, IL
11 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
14 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
30m 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 Harrison, OH to Cincinnati, OH covers 21.9 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northwest Expressway, Circle Freeway, Harrison Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from Harrison, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.40 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 21.9 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 miles (New Haven Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 74; US 52 / Northwest Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles (US 27; US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Harrison, OH to Cincinnati, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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