The distance from Columbus to Cincinnati by car is 107 miles, with a 1h41m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Columbus to Cincinnati drive are Deer Creek State Park, Caesar Creek State Park and the Kings Island theme park.
Planning a Columbus to Cincinnati road trip itinerary
The Columbus to Cincinnati drive connects the capital of Ohio to arguably its most attractive city.
Columbus is the capital of Ohio, and has a series of worthy attractions. None are top tier must-sees, but several are pretty darned good.
In Columbus, a three day attractions pass covers most of the top sights. These include the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. For other Columbus experiences, try scavenger hunts, a town tour aboard the Trolley Pub and the Legoland Discovery Center.
Five great things to do in Cincinnati
- 🕳️ Take an underground tour – and discover the secrets beneath the city streets.
- 👻 Hear dark tales – on an after-dark ghost tour.
- 🚋 Enjoy a streetcar food tour – with tastings at several restaurants and Findlay Market.
- 🍺 Learn how Cincinnati was built on beer – during a historic walking tour.
- 🏰 Discover Cincinnati’s hidden brewery caverns – with beer-tasting included.
Cincinnati has a surprising wealth of historic attractions, such as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Harriet Beecher Stowe House and William Howard Taft National Historic Site. For something a little quirky, try the American Sign Museum.
Top Cincinnati activities include underground tours – some with beer tasting – and food tours by streetcar. You can also try baseball history tours, indoor skydiving and guided ghost walks.
Columbus to Cincinnati distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Columbus to Cincinnati is 107 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 41 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-71.
The best stops on a Columbus to Cincinnati road trip are Deer Creek State Park, Caesar Creek State Park and Kings Island.
Columbus to Cincinnati road trip stops: Deer Creek State Park
Deer Creek State Park is centred on a reservoir, and tends to be a cheap getaway for residents of the big cities. There’s a lodge here, plus cottages and a campground.
Boating and fishing at the reservoir and there’s a large swimming beach with changing booths.
The landscape is hardly the most thrilling – Deer Creek State Park is surrounded by agricultural plains – but it can be an excellent place for admiring wildflowers.
Columbus to Cincinnati drive: Caesar Creek State Park
Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville ticks most of the state park boxes – walking trails, boating, fishing and camping. Stop at the Nature Center, where the head naturalist will happily chat to visitors about the wildlife that can be seen in the park.
Top attractions between Columbus and Cincinnati: Kings Island
Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, should fulfil all your theme park requirements. There are several thrill rides, including the giant frisbee-style Delirium, the shuttle-style Invertigo and Banshee, an inverted rollercoaster with seven inversions.
The Planet Snoopy section is more geared towards families and Coney Mall has rides that hark back to traditional fairgrounds.
Access to the Soak City water park is included in the ticket price.
More Ohio travel
Other Ohio travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Getting to Cincinnati: The best stops on the Pittsburgh to Cincinnati drive.
- Road trips from Cincinnati: Take on the Cincinnati to Chicago drive.
- Getting to Cleveland: The best stops on the Toledo to Cleveland drive and Pittsburgh to Cleveland drive.
- Road trips from Cleveland: Guide to the Cleveland to Chicago drive.
- Guide to the Toledo to Chicago drive.
