Trip from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH

Q: How long is the trip from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH?

The drive from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 70, SR 4, I 670. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 43 miles from Sunbury, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH?

The route from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Q: Are there national parks near the route from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH?

Yes. Nearby national parks include Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

86 mi

138 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 38m ★

6 AM

1h 46m

8 AM

2h 2m

10 AM

1h 51m

12 PM

1h 50m

3 PM

1h 52m

5 PM

2h 1m

8 PM

1h 41m

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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Sunbury, OH

Ollie Craig

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Columbus, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 86-mile drive from Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. You'll be spending about 97% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-70 and SR-4, with a brief stint on I-670. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13, making it an economical choice for a quick journey. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop. The drive keeps you within the familiar Midwest region of Ohio, offering a consistent travel experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43 miles from Sunbury, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 86 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 86 miles. The majority of your journey will be on high-speed interstates, with a significant uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles on I-70. While the profile is predominantly highway, the inclusion of SR-4 and I-670 introduces some variation in road conditions and potential traffic patterns as you approach your destination. This route is less about winding country roads and more about efficient travel on well-maintained thoroughfares.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and SR 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 miles in near SR 4.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 14 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 15.3 miles (SR 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.1 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.1 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

15.3 mi into trip | ~24m in | SR 4

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street, Keowee Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 54B Toward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street,...

26.1 mi into trip | ~37m in | SR 4

Take the exit onto SR 4 toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus

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. Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus

81.1 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | I 670

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 670 East: Airport

84.8 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 4A–B Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street

84.9 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 23 South: Third Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 4A Toward US 23 South: Third Street

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 70	49.2 mi	53m
SR 4	30.2 mi	41m
I 670	3.6 mi	4m
North Third Street	0.9 mi	2m
I 75	0.5 mi	<1m
Eby Road	0.3 mi	<1m
South Robert Drive	0.2 mi	<1m
Norwood Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 70 — 49.2 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Germantown Middletown Pike

45 ft · 7 sec · Germantown Middletown Pike

Turn sharp right onto Eby Road

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Eby Road

Turn sharp left onto SR 4

14 mi · 20 min · SR 4

Continue on Norwood Avenue

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Norwood Avenue

Continue on West 5th Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · West 5th Street

Turn left onto South Robert Drive

0.2 mi · 33 sec · South Robert Drive

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 75 North: Toledo

Merge onto I 75; SR 4

0.5 mi · 41 sec · I 75; SR 4

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 4

11 mi · 13 min · SR 4

Exit 54B Toward SR 4 North: Springfield, Webster Street, Keowee Street Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit onto SR 4

5.8 mi · 7 min · SR 4

Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

49 mi · 53 min · I 70

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 670

Toward I 670 East: Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Exit 4A–B Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Exit 4A Toward US 23 South: Third Street

Turn straight onto US 23

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Third Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto East State Street

106 ft · 3 sec · East State Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right

88 ft · 6 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this trip is only 86 miles and takes under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Columbus area. The longest stretch without a break is just under 50 miles on I-70, so you won't need to stop frequently for fuel or rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Columbus, as city driving can sometimes be more fuel-intensive than steady highway cruising.

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 43 miles from Sunbury, OH, or about 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 19 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43 miles or 56m 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 29m

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 Sunbury, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sunbury, OH

This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Sunbury, OH.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 49.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43 mi from Sunbury, OH · 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fairborn, OH

43 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Dayton, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43 miles from Sunbury, 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.

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.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 20.8

View on nps.gov

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 29.7

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.35 one way

$26.69 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.38	$14.81	$29.63
premium	$4.91	$16.62	$33.24
diesel	$5.61	$18.99	$37.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.8	$9.03	$4.13
Efficient EV	21.5	$7.52	$3.44
EV Truck/SUV	34.4	$12.04	$5.50

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Sunbury, OH

Late night in Sunbury on Friday

Local time

12:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, OH

Late night in Columbus on Friday

Local time

12:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

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

1h 45m 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 Sunbury, OH to Columbus, OH covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 70, SR 4, I 670. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 43 miles from Sunbury, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.35 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.