Hicksville, OH to Columbus, OH is 156.5 miles and takes about 3h 26m via US 33, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Ohio for its entirety. It's a straightforward, single-day journey, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the northwest part of the state to the capital. The drive is primarily on main roads, making it easy to navigate and offering a consistent pace. Consider this route for a practical, no-fuss transfer between these two Ohio locations.
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
78.3 miles from Hicksville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Columbus is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state as the core of the Greater Columbus area. Sited in an area where the Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Farm Belt meet, Columbus is a fusion of many different parts of America. It is the home of the Ohio State University. The combination of Ohio Government and the Ohio State University has fueled amazing growth both financially and physically in Columbus. It has created a business and research environment that has provided substantial employment opportunities to the diverse ethnic and local graduates of the Ohio State University, and other academic institutions in Columbus. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), is projected to be one of the top 50 supercomputers in the world and among the top 10 supercomputing academic centers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 156.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed bag, with 48% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of US 33, Lincoln Highway, and SR 117, providing a varied driving experience. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 45.6 miles on US 33, allowing for a solid period of steady travel. Expect the road to transition from potentially more rural beginnings to a more developed corridor as you approach Columbus. This blend of highway and main road driving means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate loop, but you'll still maintain good momentum.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 33 is the longest continuous segment at about 45.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 156.5 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 139.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
139.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 270 East, I 270 South
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 108
Toward I 270 East, I 270 South
7
140 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 South
8
147.9 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton
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 8
Toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton
7
148.2 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Columbus
8
155.3 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
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 4A–B
Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hicksville, OH and Columbus, OH, road signs point toward Lima and Dayton.
Lima
57.7 mi in|~1h 18m
Dayton
147.9 mi in|~3h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 33
45.6 mi
49m
Lincoln Highway
33.8 mi
36m
SR 117
16.9 mi
24m
Erie Street
15.6 mi
27m
Bellefontaine Road
9.9 mi
14m
Antwerp Drive
7.9 mi
13m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
7.1 mi
8m
North West Street
6.2 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 33
— 45.6 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hicksville, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on South Main Street
130 ft·8 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto SR 2; SR 49
0.3 mi·30 sec·West High Street
3
Turn left onto SR 49
7.9 mi·13 min·Antwerp Drive
4
Turn left onto SR 49
381 ft·9 sec·Canal Street
5
Turn right onto SR 49
16 mi·27 min·Erie Street
6
Turn left onto US 30; SR 49
34 mi·36 min·Lincoln Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward SR 115: Kalida, Lima
8
Turn right onto SR 115
5.7 mi·8 min·North West Street
9
Turn left onto SR 65
475 ft·10 sec·West Grand Avenue
10
Turn right onto SR 65
0.5 mi·46 sec·North Elizabeth Street
11
Turn right onto SR 65
275 ft·9 sec·West Wayne Street
12
Turn left onto SR 65
0.5 mi·52 sec·North West Street
13
Turn left onto SR 65; SR 117; SR 309
0.9 mi·1 min·West Elm Street
14
Enter roundabout onto SR 117; SR 309
18 ft·0 sec·Bellefontaine Avenue
15
Continue on SR 117; SR 309
0.8 mi·1 min·Bellefontaine Avenue
16
Turn straight onto SR 117; SR 309
0.4 mi·54 sec·Harding Highway
17
Turn right onto SR 117
9.9 mi·14 min·Bellefontaine Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on SR 117
17 mi·24 min·SR 117
19
Continue on C-130
0.2 mi·37 sec·County Road 130
20
Turn left onto C-37
0.1 mi·18 sec·County Road 37
21
Turn right onto US 33
46 mi·49 min·US 33
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 108Toward I 270 East, I 270 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 270
7.1 mi·8 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, DaytonUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 70 East: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 70
2.3 mi·2 min·West Freeway
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
3.6 mi·4 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 4A–BToward US 23: Third Street, Fourth StreetUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 4AToward US 23 South: Third Street
31
Turn straight onto US 23
0.9 mi·2 min·North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft·3 sec·East State Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 26m duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Aim to depart Hicksville in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and arrival in Columbus before evening. The drive has one suggested stop, which is ample for a trip of this length, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 45.6 miles on US 33, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is a good budget indicator for this 156.5-mile journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.3 miles from Hicksville, OH, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.6 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 34 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 49m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hicksville, 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 Hicksville, OH
This is one driving day of about 156.5 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Hicksville, 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 US 33 for about 45.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.3 mi from Hicksville, OH
· 1h 49m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.29 one way
$48.58 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$26.96
$53.91
premium
$4.91
$30.25
$60.49
diesel
$5.61
$34.55
$69.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.43
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Hicksville, OH
Afternoon
in Hicksville on Saturday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, OH
Afternoon
in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m 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 Hicksville, OH to Columbus, OH covers 156.5 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 33, Lincoln Highway, SR 117. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.3 miles from Hicksville, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 27 significant decision points across 156.5 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 139.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hicksville, OH and Columbus, OH, road signs point toward Lima and Dayton.
