Origin
Powell, OH
Late night in Powell on Thursday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
23m
Distance
17 mi
27 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Powell, OH
Ezkol Arnak
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Powell to Columbus covers a short 17-mile distance that typically takes around 23 minutes to complete. Because this journey is entirely local, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or multi-day planning; it is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is a very budget-friendly route within the Midwest. Navigating through East Olentangy Street, West Powell Road, and Olentangy River Road, you will find this path serves as a functional connection between the two locations. This trip is ideal if you are looking for a quick, practical transit rather than an extended road trip experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
8.5 miles from Powell, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way from Powell into the heart of Columbus. Since 0% of this route involves highways, you will stay off the interstates and remain on local thoroughfares for the entirety of the 17-mile journey. There is no significant high-speed cruising here, as the longest stretch is 0 miles on East Olentangy Street. Instead, you should prepare for a series of turns and stop-and-go driving that keeps you engaged with the local road network. The personality of this drive is defined by its reliance on surface streets, making it a low-stress, low-speed commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Olentangy Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Olentangy Street | — | — |
| West Powell Road | — | — |
| Olentangy River Road | — | — |
| Olentangy Freeway | — | — |
| I 670 East | — | — |
| North Innerbelt | — | — |
| US 23 | — | — |
| US 23 South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Olentangy Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Powell, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on South Liberty Street
66 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Liberty Street
2
Turn right onto East Olentangy Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Olentangy Street
3
Continue on West Powell Road
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Powell Road
4
Turn right onto Olentangy River Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Olentangy River Road
5
Continue on Olentangy Freeway
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Olentangy Freeway
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 670 East: Neil Avenue, Airport
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 670 East: Neil Avenue, Airport
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 670 East
8
Merge slight left onto North Innerbelt
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Innerbelt
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 South: Third Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 23 South: Third Street
11
Turn straight onto North Third Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Third Street
12
Turn right onto East State Street
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
East State Street
13
Turn right
89 ft
·
7 sec
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 23-minute duration, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because there are 0 planned stops along the way, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to build in rest breaks or refueling sessions. Keep your navigation system ready for the frequent turns along West Powell Road and Olentangy River Road to ensure you stay on course. Since this is a purely local route, prioritize keeping an eye on your surroundings rather than worrying about long-distance pacing. You will find that the lack of highway driving makes this a simple trip to manage, provided you stay attentive to the local signage.
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 8.5 miles from Powell, OH, or about 11m into the drive.
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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.5 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Powell, OH.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Powell, OH
This is one driving day of about 17 miles and 23m.
At 17 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.5 mi from Powell, OH · 11m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.5 miles from Powell, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbus, OH
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Columbus, OH if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.64 one way
$5.28 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $2.93 | $5.86 |
| premium | $4.91 | $3.29 | $6.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.75 | $7.51 |
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: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.49 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.38 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Columbus, OH
Late night in Columbus on Thursday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
23m 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 Powell, OH to Columbus, OH covers 17 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Olentangy Street, West Powell Road, Olentangy River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.5 miles from Powell, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.64 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.
The drive from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Powell, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Columbus, OH
More trips to Columbus, OH
Explore more options from Powell, OH or browse trips ending in Columbus, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.
Explore maps for Powell, OH or Columbus, OH on MapSof.net.