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Trip from Ripley, OH to Columbus, OH

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

102.7 mi

165 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 21m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Ripley, OH, OH

Ripley, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Ripley, OH to Columbus, OH covers 102.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 62, South Freeway, South Front Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.6 miles on US 62. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.94 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

51.3 miles from Ripley, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 31m highway drive covering 102.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 62 and South Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.6 miles on US 62.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 62 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 62 and South Freeway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near US 62.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 5.8 miles (US 62): Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
5.8 mi into trip | ~8m in | US 62

Turn right onto US 62 toward US 62 East: Red Oak

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 62 East: Red Oak
7
89 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in

Take the ramp toward I 71 North: Columbus

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 71 North: Columbus
7
100.8 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | I 71

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeli...
6
101.9 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | South Front Street

Turn left onto South Front Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
102.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | West State Street

Turn right onto West State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 62 88.6 mi 2h 11m
South Freeway 11.4 mi 13m
South Front Street 0.5 mi 1m
I 71 0.4 mi <1m
South Innerbelt 0.3 mi <1m
South 2nd Street 0.3 mi <1m
West State Street 0.2 mi <1m
East State Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 62 — 88.6 mi, about 2h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, OH and Columbus, OH.

1

Start on Main Street

98 ft · 11 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 52

0.3 mi · 40 sec · South 2nd Street
3

Turn left onto US 62; US 68

5.5 mi · 7 min · US 62; US 68
Toward Russelville Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto US 62

83 mi · 2 hr 3 min · US 62
Toward US 62 East: Red Oak Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 71 North: Columbus Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto I 71

11 mi · 13 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto I 71

0.4 mi · 45 sec · I 71
Toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 70; I 71

0.3 mi · 27 sec · South Innerbelt
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
10

Turn left onto South Front Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Turn right onto West State Street

0.2 mi · 54 sec · West State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street
13

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 51.3 miles from Ripley, OH, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 23 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.3 miles or 1h 16m 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 5m

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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, OH

This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Ripley, 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 62 for about 88.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 51.3 mi from Ripley, OH · 1h 16m into the drive

Downtown Leesburg, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Leesburg, OH

51 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.

Popular next leg

Leesburg, OH to Columbus, OH

55.4 mi · 1h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Sardinia, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Leesburg, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.6 miles from Ripley, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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

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...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 56.6
Caution: Hopeton Earthworks Closed for Construction Until May 2026
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Monument

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...

26 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.94 one way

$31.88 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $17.69 $35.38
premium $4.91 $19.85 $39.70
diesel $5.61 $22.67 $45.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $8.99 $4.11
EV Truck/SUV 41.1 0 $14.38 $6.57

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 17, 2026

Origin

Ripley, OH

Late night in Ripley on Saturday

Local time

3:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Saturday

Local time

3:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Leesburg, OH

51 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

9 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 31m 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 Ripley, OH to Columbus, OH covers 102.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 62, South Freeway, South Front Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 51.3 miles from Ripley, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.94 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles (US 62): Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.8 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Ripley, OH to Columbus, 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.

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