How far is Cincinnati, OH from Nelson, OH?
The driving distance from Cincinnati, OH to Nelson, OH is about 268.9 miles (432.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Delaware County, Ohio
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cincinnati and Nelson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati and Nelson.
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1
Start on Ohio Avenue
30 m · 6 sec · Ohio Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West McMillan Avenue
876 ft · 27 sec · West McMillan Avenue
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3
Continue on East McMillan Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East McMillan Street
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4
Take the ramp left
1755 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Northeast Expressway
28.8 mi · 35 min · Northeast Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward SR 123: Morrow, Lebanon
1484 ft · 39 sec
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7
Turn right
157 m · 12 sec
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8
Turn left
4.3 mi · 9 min
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9
Turn left onto Middleboro Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · Middleboro Road
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Wilmington Road
103 m · 10 sec · Wilmington Road
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11
Take the ramp right toward I 71 North: Columbus
1495 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left
68.9 mi · 1 hr 15 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling
2063 ft · 46 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto South Innerbelt
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Innerbelt
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cleveland
1.6 km · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left
111.8 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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17
Keep slight right
9.9 mi · 11 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 77 North: Cleveland
1.5 km · 2 min
-
19
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward SR 21: Brecksville Road
2119 ft · 52 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Brecksville Road
1 km · 1 min · Brecksville Road
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22
Take the ramp left toward I 80: Ohio Turnpike
1502 ft · 37 sec
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23
Continue straight
121 m · 10 sec
-
24
Continue straight
542 ft · 13 sec
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Youngstown
1504 ft · 37 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Ohio Turnpike
20.2 mi · 22 min · Ohio Turnpike
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27
Take the exit slight right toward SR 44
1.2 km · 2 min
-
28
Continue on SR 44
570 ft · 26 sec
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29
At the end of the road, turn left onto Painesville Ravenna Road
4.5 mi · 8 min · Painesville Ravenna Road
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30
Turn right onto Twinsburg Warren Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Twinsburg Warren Road
-
31
Continue on Wakefield Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · Wakefield Road
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32
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
33
Enter the roundabout toward Nelson Town Square
18 m · 1 sec · Nelson Town Square
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nelson Town Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cincinnati and Nelson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 71 North
Keep slight left
112 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cincinnati and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cincinnati to Nelson?
The road trip is about 268.9 miles (432.7 km) and usually takes 05h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Berkshire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.3 miles from Cincinnati and 134.5 miles from Nelson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 32 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.16 one way or $70.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cincinnati and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Stop Ideas Near Berkshire
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 Berkshire.
Columbus, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cincinnati and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 236.88 mi (381.22 km).
#1 Cincinnati
The third most populous city in Ohio and the center of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
| Population | 304,548 |
| Coordinates | 39.1271100, -84.5143900 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nelson
Township in Portage County, Ohio, United States of America
| Population | 3,140 |
| Coordinates | 41.3100600, -81.0514800 |
| Altitude | 324 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nelson (-81.05148, 41.31006)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 433 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $35.16 | $70.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $40.26 | $80.51 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $45.46 | $90.91 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $40.84 | $81.69 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.