If you are planning a trip from Lyndhurst to Columbus, expect a journey covering 147.9 miles across the Ohio landscape. You can comfortably complete this drive in approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $22 for fuel will cover your transit across the Midwest. Since the route relies entirely on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a more grounded transition between these two Ohio cities. This is a straightforward trek, perfect for travelers who prefer local pavement over the high-speed monotony of the highway system.
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
73.7 miles from Lyndhurst, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate cruise, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate through local thoroughfares like Mayfield Road, Brainard Road, and Cedar Road. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment remains 0 miles on Mayfield Road. Expect a constant series of turns that require your full attention as you transition from the Lyndhurst area toward your destination in Columbus. It is a technical, hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 110.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 271. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 322 / Mayfield Road.
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 15 significant decision points across 147.4 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: near the start (US 322 / Mayfield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 322 / Mayfield Road
Turn left onto US 322 / Mayfield Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 271 South: Columbus
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 271 South: Columbus
8
6.8 mi into trip|~11m in|I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway toward I 271 South, I 480 East: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East: Columbus
8
145.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
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 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
7
145.6 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.2 mi
1h 59m
I 271
24.3 mi
26m
Outerbelt East Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Brainard Road
1.3 mi
2m
Northeast Freeway
0.8 mi
1m
North Third Street
0.7 mi
2m
Mayfield Road
0.6 mi
1m
Cedar Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lyndhurst, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on this road
42 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 322
0.6 mi·1 min·Mayfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto CR 28
1.3 mi·2 min·Brainard Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Cedar Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·Cedar Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 271 South: ColumbusUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 271
4.3 mi·5 min·Outerbelt East Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
4.0 mi·5 min·Outerbelt East Freeway
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
24 mi·26 min·I 271
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
110 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast Freeway
0.6 mi·53 sec·Northeast Freeway
Toward US 23 South
14
Turn straight onto US 23
0.7 mi·2 min·North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft·3 sec·East State Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this route consists entirely of local roads, you should factor in extra time for traffic signals and intersections. With a total duration of 2 hours and 21 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid local rush hours. Since the trip does not include any mandatory stops, you have the freedom to pace your drive however you see fit. Keep your $22 fuel budget in mind as you prepare for the 147.9-mile journey. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert on Mayfield Road, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive demands a steady focus that you wouldn't need on a typical freeway.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.7 miles from Lyndhurst, OH, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 15m
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 Lyndhurst, 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 Lyndhurst, OH
This is one driving day of about 147.4 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lyndhurst, 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 I 71 for about 110.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.7 mi from Lyndhurst, OH
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 73.7 miles from Lyndhurst, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.2 miles.
Arriving in Columbus, OH
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.88 one way
$45.75 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$25.39
$50.78
premium
$4.91
$28.49
$56.98
diesel
$5.61
$32.54
$65.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.90
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.64
$9.43
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Lyndhurst, OH
Afternoon
in Lyndhurst on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, OH
Afternoon
in Columbus on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph34% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
74 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
16 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 46m 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 Lyndhurst, OH to Columbus, OH covers 147.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 271, Outerbelt East Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.7 miles from Lyndhurst, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.88 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.
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 15 significant decision points across 147.4 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: near the start (US 322 / Mayfield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles (I 271 / Outerbelt East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lyndhurst, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
