This 107.3-mile drive from Lucasville, OH to Cincinnati, OH takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Primarily utilizing routes like the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway and US 23, with a portion on Circle Freeway, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this journey through Ohio's Midwest region. The drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, making it a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple highway cruise. Given its manageable length and duration, it's perfect for a spontaneous day trip or a relaxed start to a larger adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.6 miles from Lucasville, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America.
Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.
Top landmarks
•Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
•Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
•Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 107.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, where only 26% of the journey is on highways. You'll experience a dynamic driving profile, shifting between different road types as you make your way toward Cincinnati. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 75.2 miles along the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, offering a more sustained period of travel before the local roads become more prominent. This route is less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating through varied terrain and community roads, demanding your attention throughout.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 75.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.8 miles in near I 275 / Circle Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 107.3 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 87.8 miles (I 275 / Circle Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 275 / Circle Freeway
Merge onto I 275 / Circle Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
99.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
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 74B
Toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
9
105.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 2
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Dri...
8
105.6 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 42 North: Reading Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 42 North: Reading Road
6
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|William Howard Taft Road
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
75.2 mi
1h 32m
US 23
11.8 mi
15m
Circle Freeway
10 mi
11m
I 471
5.4 mi
6m
Ronald Reagan Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Reading Road
0.6 mi
1m
William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast Expressway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 75.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lucasville, OH and Cincinnati, OH.
1
Start on US 23
12 mi·15 min·US 23
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
3
Turn left onto SR 32; SR 124
75 mi·1 hr 32 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 South: Kentucky
5
Merge onto I 275
10.0 mi·11 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 74BToward I 471 North: Newport, CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 471
5.4 mi·6 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 71
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 2Toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park DriveUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft·12 sec
Toward US 42 North: Reading RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto US 42
0.6 mi·1 min·Reading Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Burnet Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Burnet Avenue
14
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
0.5 mi·1 min·William Howard Taft Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on Calhoun Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Calhoun Street
16
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
340 ft·13 sec·Ohio Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Ohio Avenue
Trip Plan
This 107.3-mile trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving Lucasville in the morning to maximize your time in Cincinnati and take advantage of the daylight for the drive. With a total duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keep the $17 fuel cost in mind. A key tip for this route is to pay close attention to signage, especially as you transition between the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway and US 23, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll be making frequent adjustments.
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 53.6 miles from Lucasville, OH, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.2 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 49m
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 Lucasville, 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 Lucasville, OH
This is one driving day of about 107.3 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Lucasville, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 75.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.6 mi from Lucasville, OH
· 1h 7m into the drive
The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Lucasville, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.2 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Nearly 2000 years ago, Native Americans built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, ritua...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 14.8
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.65 one way
$33.31 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$18.48
$36.96
premium
$4.91
$20.74
$41.48
diesel
$5.61
$23.69
$47.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.2
0
$11.27
$5.15
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.39
$4.29
EV Truck/SUV
42.9
0
$15.02
$6.87
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lucasville, OH
Late night
in Lucasville on Saturday
Local time
4:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cincinnati, OH
Late night
in Cincinnati on Saturday
Local time
4:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
67°F
Sardinia, OH
54 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
13 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
2h 15m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lucasville, OH to Cincinnati, OH covers 107.3 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, US 23, Circle Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.6 miles from Lucasville, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.65 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 11 significant decision points across 107.3 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 87.8 miles (I 275 / Circle Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lucasville, OH to Cincinnati, 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.
