How far is Athens, OH from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance from Athens, OH to Columbus, OH is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Fairfield County, Ohio, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Columbus.
-
1
Start on West Washington Street
605 ft · 25 sec · West Washington Street
-
2
Turn right onto North High Street
1157 ft · 44 sec · North High Street
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Carpenter Street
46 m · 8 sec · West Carpenter Street
-
4
Continue on West Carpenter Street
141 m · 18 sec · West Carpenter Street
-
5
Turn right onto North Lancaster Street
1176 ft · 42 sec · North Lancaster Street
-
6
Continue on Columbus Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · Columbus Road
-
7
Continue straight
112 m · 7 sec
-
8
Take the ramp slight left
1083 ft · 26 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
28.9 mi · 33 min
-
10
Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
2.6 mi · 3 min · Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
-
11
Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road
3.8 mi · 5 min · Logan-Lancaster Road
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Lancaster Bypass
13.3 mi · 14 min · Lancaster Bypass
-
13
Continue on Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
7.8 mi · 9 min · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
-
14
Continue on Southeast Expressway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Southeast Expressway
2200 ft · 31 sec · Southeast Expressway
-
16
Continue on College Avenue
740 ft · 13 sec · College Avenue
-
17
Continue on College Avenue
1624 ft · 28 sec · College Avenue
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Columbus
1554 ft · 38 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
3.6 mi · 5 min · East Freeway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1663 ft · 26 sec
-
21
Continue on East Mound Street
1466 ft · 56 sec · East Mound Street
-
22
Turn right onto South Grant Avenue
1971 ft · 1 min · South Grant Avenue
-
23
Turn left onto East State Street
2066 ft · 1 min · East State Street
-
24
Turn right
27 m · 7 sec
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Columbus.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Columbus Road
Merge slight left
28.9 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Athens and Sunny near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Columbus?
The road trip is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km) and usually takes 01h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sugar Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37 miles from Athens and 37.1 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.67 one way or $19.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Athens and Sunny near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Sugar Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sugar Grove.
Columbus, OH
South Portsmouth–South Shore station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 64.7 mi (104.13 km).
#1 Athens
Town in Ohio
| Population | 24,600 |
| Coordinates | 39.3292400, -82.1012600 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
The fifteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Columbus metropolitan area.
| Population | 884,356 |
| Coordinates | 39.9611800, -82.9987900 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
End: East State Street (-82.998626, 39.960416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 119 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $9.67 | $19.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $11.07 | $22.14 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $12.50 | $25.00 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $11.23 | $22.47 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Ohio · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.