How far is Columbus, OH from Chester, OH?

The driving distance from Columbus, OH to Chester, OH is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.3 miles (134 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.54 mi
02h 08m
Flight
83.26 mi
134 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.26 mi
Kilometers
134 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.54 mi
Kilometers
163.41 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chester
Fri, Apr 17, 12:08 PM EDT
Return by in Columbus
Fri, Apr 17, 2:16 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-04-17T10:00
Arrive Chester
Fri, Apr 17, 12:08 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Logan
OH

City in Hocking County, Ohio, United States

From Columbus
50.8 mi
01h 04m
To Chester
50.8 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W
Destination
82°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Chester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Chester.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 6 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East State Street

    556 ft · 26 sec · East State Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South High Street

    1476 ft · 1 min · South High Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    755 ft · 30 sec · East Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South Third Street

    1350 ft · 56 sec · South Third Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Livingston Avenue

    2.7 mi · 6 min · East Livingston Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Alum Creek Drive

    1356 ft · 33 sec · Alum Creek Drive

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward I 70 East

    1134 ft · 28 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto East Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 33 East: Lancaster

    1514 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on College Avenue

    1779 ft · 30 sec · College Avenue

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Southeast Expressway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest

    7.6 mi · 9 min · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest

  14. 14

    Continue on Lancaster Bypass

    13.8 mi · 15 min · Lancaster Bypass

  15. 15

    Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Logan-Lancaster Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast

  17. 17

    Continue on Old Logan Road

    33.8 mi · 38 min · Old Logan Road

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    18.9 mi · 25 min

  19. 19

    Turn straight

    993 ft · 26 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    994 ft · 25 sec

  21. 21

    Take the ramp slight right

    1077 ft · 33 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 7 North: Belpre

    2556 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Turn left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  25. 25

    Turn right

    921 ft · 18 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Route 248

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Chester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Old Logan Road
53.1 mi · 52%
Lancaster Bypass
13.8 mi · 14%
Southeast Expressway
8.82 mi · 9%
Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
7.57 mi · 7%
Logan-Lancaster Road
3.52 mi · 3%
East Livingston Avenue
2.74 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Old Logan Road

Continue on Old Logan Road

33.8 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
83.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Logan
01h 04m from Columbus
Leave By
2:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Chester?

The road trip is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?

Logan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Columbus and 50.8 miles from Chester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 83.3 miles (134 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 2:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.26 one way or $26.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chester.

Stop Ideas Near Logan

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Logan, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Logan.

BUS

Columbus, OH

69 mi away
111 East Town Street
RAIL

South Portsmouth–South Shore station

103 mi away
Main St & US 23
RAIL

Ashland Transportation Center

119 mi away
99 15th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Chester. Straight-line distance: 83.26 mi (134 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

The fifteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Columbus metropolitan area.

Population884,356
Coordinates39.9611800, -82.9987900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Chester

#2 Chester

Human settlement in Ohio, United States of America

Population3,107
Coordinates39.0875800, -81.9226400
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbus (-82.99879, 39.96118)
End: Chester (-81.92264, 39.08758)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.58 gal
13.56 L · about $13.26
Round trip
$26.53
7.16 gal · 27.12 L
Estimated CO2
31.8 kg one way
Round trip: 63.6 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $13.26 $26.53
Mid-grade $4.24 $15.19 $30.37
Premium $4.79 $17.15 $34.30
Diesel $4.30 $15.41 $30.82

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Chester. The current time is 10:00:12.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.