How far is Columbus, OH from Forest, OH?
The driving distance from Columbus, OH to Forest, OH is about 76.1 miles (122.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64 miles (103 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m 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 46m.
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 Union County, Ohio, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Forest.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 6 sec
-
2
Turn right onto East State Street
556 ft · 26 sec · East State Street
-
3
Turn left onto South High Street
151 m · 21 sec · South High Street
-
4
Turn right onto West Town Street
861 ft · 33 sec · West Town Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive
823 ft · 28 sec · Civic Center Drive
-
6
Continue on South 2nd Street
736 ft · 30 sec · South 2nd Street
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I-70 West
1259 ft · 31 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto South Innerbelt
3202 ft · 50 sec · South Innerbelt
-
9
Continue on West Freeway
5.6 mi · 7 min · West Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 270
1927 ft · 47 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 North: Cleveland
3140 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Jack Nicklaus Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville
1655 ft · 40 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
16.7 mi · 19 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward SR 4 North, SR 31: Marion, Kenton
1406 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on SR 31: Kenton
1522 ft · 37 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on SR 31: Kenton
113 m · 9 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Maple Street
128 m · 13 sec
-
19
Turn right onto North Maple Street
767 ft · 15 sec · North Maple Street
-
20
Continue on State Route 31
1.3 km · 1 min · State Route 31
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 31
28 m · 1 sec · State Route 31
-
22
Exit the rotary onto State Route 31
7.6 mi · 10 min · State Route 31
-
23
Continue straight
22.8 mi · 33 min
-
24
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 19 min
-
25
Turn right onto West Lima Street
149 m · 10 sec · West Lima Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Lima Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Route 31
Continue straight
22.8 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.
Sunny leaving Columbus and Sunny near Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Forest?
The road trip is about 76.1 miles (122.5 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Magnetic Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.1 miles from Columbus and 38.1 miles from Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64 miles (103 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 2:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.97 one way or $19.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Magnetic Springs
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 Magnetic Springs.
Columbus, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Forest. Straight-line distance: 64.01 mi (103.02 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 Forest
Village in Ohio, United States
| Population | 1,444 |
| Coordinates | 40.8017200, -83.5104800 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest (-83.51048, 40.80172)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $9.97 | $19.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $11.41 | $22.82 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $12.89 | $25.77 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $11.58 | $23.16 |
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.