How far is Forest, OH from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance from Forest, OH to Columbus, OH is about 76.6 miles (123.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64 miles (103 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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 26m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest and Columbus.
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1
Start on East Lima Street
149 m · 11 sec · East Lima Street
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2
Turn left onto Warehouse Street
137 m · 11 sec · Warehouse Street
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3
Continue on Mad River Street
13.2 mi · 22 min · Mad River Street
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4
Continue straight
28 mi · 40 min
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 31
33 m · 2 sec · State Route 31
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6
Exit the rotary onto State Route 31
1.3 km · 1 min · State Route 31
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7
Continue on North Maple Street
1666 ft · 32 sec · North Maple Street
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8
Take the ramp right
1408 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left
16.8 mi · 19 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 East, I 270 South
1524 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South
1.3 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Jack Nicklaus Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Jack Nicklaus Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Columbus, Dayton
1336 ft · 33 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Columbus
1.2 mi · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left onto West Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · West Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 East: Airport
3.6 mi · 4 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 23: Third Street, Fourth Street
747 ft · 18 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 South: Third Street
686 ft · 17 sec
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19
Turn straight onto North Third Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Third Street
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20
Turn right onto East State Street
32 m · 4 sec · East State Street
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21
Turn right
27 m · 7 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest and Columbus.
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.
Mad River Street
Continue straight
28 mi · 00h 40m
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 Forest and Sunny near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest to Columbus?
The road trip is about 76.6 miles (123.2 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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 38.2 miles from Forest and 38.3 miles from Columbus.
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 12.6 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 3:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.00 one way or $20.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Forest and Sunny near Columbus.
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 Forest and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 64.01 mi (103.02 km).
#1 Forest
Village in Ohio, United States
| Population | 1,444 |
| Coordinates | 40.8017200, -83.5104800 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East State Street (-82.998626, 39.960416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 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 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $10.00 | $20.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $11.45 | $22.91 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $12.93 | $25.87 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $11.62 | $23.24 |
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.