How far is Columbus, OH from Athens, OH?
The driving distance from Columbus, OH to Athens, OH is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.7 miles (104.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 10m 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 35m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Athens.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto East State Street
556 ft · 26 sec · East State Street
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3
Turn left onto South High Street
1476 ft · 1 min · South High Street
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4
Turn left onto East Main Street
755 ft · 30 sec · East Main Street
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5
Turn right onto South Third Street
1350 ft · 56 sec · South Third Street
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6
Turn left onto East Livingston Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · East Livingston Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Alum Creek Drive
1356 ft · 33 sec · Alum Creek Drive
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8
Take the ramp left toward I 70 East
1134 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · East Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 33 East: Lancaster
1514 ft · 37 sec
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11
Continue on College Avenue
1779 ft · 30 sec · College Avenue
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Southeast Expressway
8.8 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway
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13
Continue on Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
7.6 mi · 9 min · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
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14
Continue on Lancaster Bypass
13.8 mi · 15 min · Lancaster Bypass
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15
Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road
3.5 mi · 4 min · Logan-Lancaster Road
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16
Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
2.6 mi · 3 min · Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
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17
Continue on Old Logan Road
28.9 mi · 32 min · Old Logan Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward SR 550 East: Amesville, Columbus Road
1484 ft · 37 sec
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19
Turn right onto Columbus Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · Columbus Road
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20
Continue on North Lancaster Street
1522 ft · 56 sec · North Lancaster Street
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21
Continue on South Lancaster Street
120 m · 18 sec · South Lancaster Street
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22
Turn left onto West State Street
147 m · 19 sec · West State Street
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23
Turn right onto North Congress Street
627 ft · 29 sec · North Congress Street
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24
Turn left onto West Washington Street
113 m · 13 sec · West Washington Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Athens.
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.
Old Logan Road
Continue on Old Logan Road
28.9 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Athens?
The road trip is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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 36.8 miles from Columbus and 36.9 miles from Athens.
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 9.1 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 3:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.63 one way or $19.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Athens.
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 Columbus and Athens. Straight-line distance: 64.7 mi (104.13 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Athens
Town in Ohio
| Population | 24,600 |
| Coordinates | 39.3292400, -82.1012600 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-82.10126, 39.32924)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 119 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 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 | $9.63 | $19.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $11.03 | $22.06 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $12.45 | $24.91 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $11.19 | $22.38 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.