How far is Frankfort, OH from Columbus, OH?

The driving distance from Frankfort, OH to Columbus, OH is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m 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
49.34 mi
01h 01m
Flight
39.87 mi
64.16 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Frankfort.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.87 mi
Kilometers
64.16 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.34 mi
Kilometers
79.4 km
Drive Time
01h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Thu, Apr 16, 2:52 AM EDT
Return by in Frankfort
Thu, Apr 16, 3:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Frankfort
2026-04-16T01:51
Arrive Columbus
Thu, Apr 16, 2:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Frankfort
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 Frankfort
25.8 mi
00h 30m
To Columbus
23.5 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Springfield Street

    86 m · 10 sec · Springfield Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 2nd Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Frankfort Clarksburg Pike

    1340 ft · 43 sec · Frankfort Clarksburg Pike

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1277 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 138: Greenfield, Clarksburg

    1407 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right

    5.2 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Main Street

    16.9 mi · 25 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Yankeetown Street

    1486 ft · 25 sec · Yankeetown Street

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto West Columbus Street

    8.8 mi · 12 min · West Columbus Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Harrisburg Pike

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right toward I 71 North: Columbus

    2543 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto South Freeway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · South Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling

    2063 ft · 46 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto South Innerbelt

    1772 ft · 28 sec · South Innerbelt

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    2027 ft · 55 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Front Street

    2454 ft · 2 min · South Front Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West State Street

    1259 ft · 54 sec · West State Street

  19. 19

    Continue on East State Street

    32 m · 4 sec · East State Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    27 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
16.9 mi · 34%
South Freeway
11.4 mi · 23%
West Columbus Street
8.84 mi · 18%
Frankfort Clarksburg Pike
2.99 mi · 6%
2nd Street
1.76 mi · 4%
Harrisburg Pike
1.67 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

16.9 mi · 00h 25m

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 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
39.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Sterling
00h 30m from Frankfort
Leave By
4:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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 25.8 miles from Frankfort and 23.5 miles from Columbus.

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

The direct path is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 4:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.45 one way or $12.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbus.

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 Frankfort and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 39.87 mi (64.16 km).

Frankfort

#1 Frankfort

City in Ross County, Ohio, United States of America

Population988
Coordinates39.4014500, -83.1807400
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 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
Start: Springfield Street (-83.180599, 39.401607)
End: East State Street (-82.998626, 39.960416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 79 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.74 gal
6.59 L · about $6.45
Round trip
$12.89
3.48 gal · 13.18 L
Estimated CO2
15.5 kg one way
Round trip: 30.9 kg / 68 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $6.45 $12.89
Mid-grade $4.24 $7.38 $14.76
Premium $4.79 $8.33 $16.67
Diesel $4.30 $7.49 $14.98

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Frankfort and Columbus. The current time is 01:51:19.

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.