Origin
Vandalia, OH
Afternoon in Vandalia on Thursday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vandalia, OH to Columbus, OH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
69.5 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vandalia, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Columbus, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Vandalia, OH to Columbus, OH covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, I 670, I 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.79 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 69.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 20m highway drive covering 69.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and I 670. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 61.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 670. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Dixie Drive.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (South Dixie Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Dixie Drive
Turn sharp left onto South Dixie Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 East: Columbus
7
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
8
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
7
68.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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 | 61.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 670 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| I 75 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Third Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East National Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Dixie Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East State Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vandalia, OH and Columbus, OH.
1
Start on this road
73 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto South Dixie Drive
136 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Dixie Drive
3
Turn right onto US 40
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
East National Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto I 75
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 61
Toward I 70: Indianapolis, Columbus
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 70 East: Columbus
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 4A–B
Toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 4A
Toward US 23 South: Third Street
13
Turn straight onto US 23
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Third Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto East State Street
106 ft
·
3 sec
·
East State Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right
88 ft
·
6 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.7 mi from Vandalia, OH · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Vandalia, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.79 one way
$21.57 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $11.97 | $23.94 |
| premium | $4.91 | $13.43 | $26.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.34 | $30.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Afternoon in Columbus on Thursday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 16 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
52°F
Harmony, OH
35 mi in
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
17 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 20m 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 Vandalia, OH to Columbus, OH covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, I 670, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.7 miles from Vandalia, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.79 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (South Dixie Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Vandalia, OH to Columbus, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.
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