How far is Columbus, OH from McLean, OH?

The driving distance from Columbus, OH to McLean, OH is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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
45.59 mi
01h 09m
Flight
37.11 mi
59.73 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
37.11 mi
Kilometers
59.73 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.59 mi
Kilometers
73.37 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McLean
Wed, Apr 15, 8:44 AM EDT
Return by in Columbus
Wed, Apr 15, 9:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-04-15T07:35
Arrive McLean
Wed, Apr 15, 8:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:12 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
Mount Sterling
OH

Human settlement in Madison County, Ohio, United States of America

From Columbus
22.8 mi
00h 34m
To McLean
22.8 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    151 m · 21 sec · South High Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Town Street

    861 ft · 33 sec · West Town Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive

    823 ft · 28 sec · Civic Center Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on South 2nd Street

    736 ft · 29 sec · South 2nd Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    580 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 62, SR 3: Harrisburg

    2515 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Harrisburg Pike

    10 mi · 14 min · Harrisburg Pike

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on East Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Columbus-Washington C H Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Columbus-Washington C H Road

  13. 13

    Continue on State Route 3

    11.3 mi · 17 min · State Route 3

  14. 14

    Turn left

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Old United States Highway 35 Southeast

    3.5 mi · 9 min · Old United States Highway 35 Southeast

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Cisco Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Cisco Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Boyd Road Southeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South 2nd Street
12.6 mi · 28%
State Route 3
11.3 mi · 25%
Harrisburg Pike
9.99 mi · 22%
Old United States Highway 35 Southeast
3.52 mi · 8%
Columbus-Washington C H Road
1.26 mi · 3%
East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

South 2nd Street

Merge slight left

12.3 mi · 00h 14m

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
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
37.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Sterling
00h 34m from Columbus
Leave By
4:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbus and Chance Rain Showers near McLean.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Mount Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.8 miles from Columbus and 22.8 miles from McLean.

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

The direct path is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.97 one way or $11.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbus and Chance Rain Showers near McLean.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Sterling

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mount Sterling, 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 Mount Sterling.

BUS

Columbus, OH

35 mi away
111 East Town Street
RAIL

South Portsmouth–South Shore station

114 mi away
Main St & US 23

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and McLean. Straight-line distance: 37.11 mi (59.73 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
Photo coming soon

#2 McLean

Human settlement in United States of America

Population3,288
Coordinates39.4911700, -83.3368600
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbus (-82.99879, 39.96118)
End: McLean (-83.33686, 39.49117)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.09 L · about $5.97
Round trip
$11.93
3.22 gal · 12.18 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $5.97 $11.93
Mid-grade $4.24 $6.83 $13.66
Premium $4.79 $7.71 $15.42
Diesel $4.30 $6.93 $13.86

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and McLean. The current time is 07:35:11.

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.