How far is Columbus, OH from Painesville, OH?
The driving distance from Columbus, OH to Painesville, OH is about 169.9 miles (273.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m 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 03h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Ashland County, Ohio, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Painesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Painesville.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto East State Street
556 ft · 23 sec · East State Street
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3
Turn right onto South High Street
1764 ft · 1 min · South High Street
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4
Turn right onto East Long Street
3034 ft · 2 min · East Long Street
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5
Turn left onto Cleveland Avenue
1952 ft · 1 min · Cleveland Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 71, I 670 East
60 m · 5 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 North, I 670 East
2168 ft · 47 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 71 North: Cleveland
1560 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left
110.9 mi · 2 hr
-
10
Keep slight right
25.4 mi · 28 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Outerbelt East Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Outerbelt East Freeway
12.6 mi · 16 min · Outerbelt East Freeway
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13
Continue on I 90
11.8 mi · 14 min · I 90
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14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 44: Chardon, Painesville
1525 ft · 53 sec
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15
Turn right onto State Route 44
1.6 mi · 2 min · State Route 44
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16
Take the exit slight right toward SR 84: Mentor, Painesville
1432 ft · 39 sec
-
17
Turn right onto Johnnycake Ridge Road
34 m · 10 sec · Johnnycake Ridge Road
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18
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Chestnut Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mentor Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Mentor Avenue
-
20
Turn slight left onto West Erie Street
890 ft · 18 sec · West Erie Street
-
21
Turn right onto Richmond Street
93 m · 10 sec · Richmond Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Richmond Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Painesville.
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
Merge slight left
111 mi · 02h 00m
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 Columbus and Mostly Sunny near Painesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Painesville?
The road trip is about 169.9 miles (273.4 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Polk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.9 miles from Columbus and 84.9 miles from Painesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.19 one way or $44.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Mostly Sunny near Painesville.
Stop Ideas Near Polk
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 Polk.
Elyria
Sandusky
Cleveland Lakefront station
Alliance
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Painesville. Straight-line distance: 152.44 mi (245.33 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 Painesville
City in Lake County, Ohio, United States
| Population | 19,803 |
| Coordinates | 41.7244900, -81.2456600 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Painesville (-81.24566, 41.72449)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $22.19 | $44.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $25.41 | $50.82 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $28.69 | $57.38 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $25.78 | $51.56 |
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.