How far is Lima, OH from Cincinnati, OH?
The driving distance from Lima, OH to Cincinnati, OH is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.5 miles (206.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Scioto County, Ohio
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lima and Cincinnati.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lima and Cincinnati.
-
1
Start on New Lima Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · New Lima Road
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2
Continue on Main Street
1338 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto Salem Street
8.9 mi · 16 min · Salem Street
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4
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 9 min
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5
Continue straight
4.4 mi · 8 min
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6
Turn left onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
116.1 mi · 2 hr 21 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 South: Kentucky
2647 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Circle Freeway
10 mi · 11 min · Circle Freeway
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9
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 471 North: Newport, Cincinnati
2251 ft · 55 sec
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11
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 6 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Northeast Expressway
1259 ft · 20 sec · Northeast Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward US 42 North: Reading Road, Eden Park Drive
868 ft · 21 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 42 North: Reading Road
159 m · 13 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Reading Road
1 km · 2 min · Reading Road
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16
Turn straight onto Burnet Avenue
862 ft · 33 sec · Burnet Avenue
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17
Turn left onto William Howard Taft Road
2799 ft · 1 min · William Howard Taft Road
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18
Continue on Calhoun Street
995 ft · 38 sec · Calhoun Street
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19
Turn left onto Ohio Avenue
104 m · 14 sec · Ohio Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ohio Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lima and Cincinnati.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Turn left onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
116 mi · 02h 21m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lima and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cincinnati.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lima to Cincinnati?
The road trip is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Rarden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.9 miles from Lima and 74.8 miles from Cincinnati.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.5 miles (206.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 12:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.97 one way or $39.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lima and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cincinnati.
Stop Ideas Near Rarden
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 Rarden.
South Portsmouth–South Shore station
Maysville
Ashland Transportation Center
Huntington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lima and Cincinnati. Straight-line distance: 128.47 mi (206.75 km).
#1 Lima
City in Ohio, United States
| Population | 36,440 |
| Coordinates | 39.0642400, -82.1198700 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cincinnati
The third most populous city in Ohio and the center of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
| Population | 304,548 |
| Coordinates | 39.1271100, -84.5143900 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-84.514416, 39.127158)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 246 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.71 | $19.97 | $39.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.24 | $22.86 | $45.73 |
| Premium | $4.79 | $25.82 | $51.64 |
| Diesel | $4.30 | $23.20 | $46.40 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.