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Create accountDrive Time
1h 38m
Distance
80.4 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lebanon, OH
Jo Kassis
Columbus, OH
Andy Staver
The drive from Lebanon, OH to Columbus, OH covers 80.4 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 71, SR 73, Columbus Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.9 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.03 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Lebanon, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
This is a 1h 38m highway drive covering 80.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and SR 73. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.9 miles on I 71.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
293 ft
Total Descent
506 ft
Highest Point
1,072 ft
~30.1 mi in
Elevation Range
369 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and SR 73. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North High Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.4 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (North High Street): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.5 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North High Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto South Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West State Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 60.9 mi | 1h 6m |
| SR 73 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Columbus Avenue | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| South Front Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Innerbelt | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North High Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Silver Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, OH and Columbus, OH.
Start on East Silver Street
Turn left onto North High Street
Turn right onto US 42
Turn straight onto US 42
Turn right onto SR 73
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit onto I 71
Merge onto I 70; I 71
Take the exit
Turn left onto South Front Street
Turn right onto West State Street
Continue on East State Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 51m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, OH
This is one driving day of about 80.4 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.2 mi from Lebanon, OH · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Lebanon, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.03 one way
$24.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.24 | $13.43 | $26.85 |
| premium | $4.79 | $15.16 | $30.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.86 | $35.72 |
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: 28.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.44 | $3.86 |
| Efficient EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.04 | $3.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.26 | $5.15 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Lebanon on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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