The best road trips on the New York City to Cincinnati drive are Harrisburg PA, Pittsburgh and Columbus OH. The distance from New York City to Cincinnati is 637 miles, with a 9h50m driving time.
Planning a New York City to Cincinnati road trip itinerary
The New York City to Cincinnati drive takes you from the Big Apple to southern Ohio.
5 great New York City experiences to book
- 🕊️ Make sure you get into the 9/11 Memorial Museum by booking tickets in advance.
- 🗽 Take a boat cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- ⛴️ Learn about NYC’s top buildings on an architecture-themed 1920s-style yacht cruise around Manhattan.
- 🌳 Take a pedicab tour around Central Park – and spot the hidden secrets on the way.
- 🍜 Taste the local flavours of New York on a Chinatown and Little Italy food tour.
New York City has a massive range of attractions, and it’s easy to tailor a visit to your tastes. Big-hitter museums include the 9/11 Memorial Museum, MoMa, the American Museum of Natural History, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Intrepid Museum,
But there are several niche museums in NYC, too – try the the New York Transit Museum, the Morgan Library, the National Museum of Mathematics and the Skyscraper Museum.
Speaking of skyscrapers, you can go the top of the Empire State Building or the Summit One Vanderbilt and Top of the Rock observation decks,
For heritage, aim for the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Ellis Island, Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern and the Hamilton Grange National Memorial.
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.
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.
New York City to Cincinnati distance and driving time
By car, the distance from New York City to Cincinnati is 637 miles. That makes for a driving time of around nine hours and 50 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-78, I-81, I-76, I-70 and I-71.
The best stops to add to a New York City to Cincinnati road trip itinerary are Harrisburg PA, Pittsburgh and Columbus OH.
Best stops between New York City and Cincinnati: Harrisburg PA
Top Harrisburg experiences include scavenger hunts and visiting the State Capitol Building.
The National Civil War Museum is the major attraction, though. This dense, detailed and reverent museum takes visitors through the American Civil War, from causes to aftermath.
New York City to Cincinnati road trip attractions: Pittsburgh
5 great Pittsburgh experiences worth booking
- 🏙️ Take an incredibly well-reviewed private Pittsburgh highlights tour.
- 🍽️ Go on a downtown food tour, with 6 fantastic food and drink stops.
- 👻 Hear spooky tales in the evening on a Pittsburgh ghost tour.
- 🥃 Discover Pittsburgh’s whiskey-soaked history – with two cocktails thrown in.
- 🛴 Visit Pittsburgh’s top photo stops – on a fun-packed Segway tour.
Pittsburgh is surprisingly beautiful – take a ride up the Duquesne Incline for the best views out over the city, Point State Park and Fort Pitt. After that, check out the Warhol Museum, National Aviary or the Nationality Rooms in the gigantic Cathedral of Learning.
Pittsburgh experiences include guided whiskey-themed walks and craft beer sampling on a multi-brewery tour.
For Pittsburgh hotels with great reviews, try the Italian villa-style Priory Hotel or the often good value Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown.
New York City to Cincinnati drive: Columbus OH
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.
More NYC and Cincinnati travel
- Road trips from New York: The best stops on the NYC to Philadelphia drive and NYC to Baltimore drive.
- Getting to Cincinnati: The best stops on the Columbus to Cincinnati drive, Louisville to Cincinnati drive, Nashville to Cincinnati drive, Philadelphia to Cincinnati drive and Pittsburgh to Cincinnati drive.
- Road trips from Cincinnati: Take on the Cincinnati to Chicago drive and Cincinnati to Detroit drive.
- New York art museum guides: The Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Frick Collection.
- Guides to NYC’s wildlife attractions: Queens Zoo, New York Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo.
