The distance from Philadelphia to Cincinnati by car is 572 miles, with an 8h20m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Philadelphia to Cincinnati drive are the Flight 93 National Memorial, Pittsburgh and Columbus.
Planning the best things to do between Philadelphia and Cincinnati
The drive from Philadelphia to Cincinnati takes you the historic former capital of the US to southern Ohio.
5 great things to do in Philadelphia
- 🥖 Taste the best of Philly on a food tour – including historic Reading Market.
- 🏛️ Get to know Philadelphia’s heritage sites – on a guided walking tour.
- 🍻 Go on a pub crawl – but learn the history between beers.
- 🎨 Let a guide show you Philadelphia’s best murals and street art – including Magic Gardens.
- 🌙 Discover Philly’s dark side – on an adults-only night tour.
Philadelphia is drenched in historic sites, such as the Liberty Bell Center, Christ Church Burial Ground and Betsy Ross House.
The Museum of the American Revolution tells of the country’s birth, but the city’s superb museum collection delves into other areas. The Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are top tier art museums, while the the Franklin Institute, Mutter Museum and Academy of Natural Sciences look at various branches of science. For maritime heritage, plump for the Battleship New Jersey and Independence Seaport Museum.
However, it’s likely to be the Eastern State Penitentiary – the model for prisons around the world – that sticks in your memory long afterwards.
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.
Philadelphia to Cincinnati distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Philadelphia to Cincinnati is 572 miles. That makes for a driving time of around eight hours and 20 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Philadelphia to Cincinnati road trip itinerary are the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Philadelphia to Cincinnati drive: Flight 93 National Memorial
The Flight 93 National Memorial pays tribute to the fourth plane that crashed on 9/11. This is the plane that was heading for the US Capitol Building, but the crew and passengers fought the hijackers until it crashed in a field.
The Flight 93 National Memorial is near the settlement of Shanksville. The Visitor Centre tells the story of what happened on board, while the 93ft-tall Tower of Voices plays 40 wind chimes, acting as the voices of the 40 passengers and crew.
Philadelphia 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.
Best stops between Philadelphia and Cincinnati: Columbus
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.
More Cincinnati and Philadelphia road trips
- Getting to Cincinnati: The best stops on the Columbus to Cincinnati drive, Louisville to Cincinnati drive, Nashville to Cincinnati drive and Pittsburgh to Cincinnati drive.
- Road trips from Cincinnati: Take on the Cincinnati to Chicago drive.
- Getting to Philadelphia: Guide to the Harrisburg to Philadelphia drive and Pittsburgh to Philadelphia drive
- Driving to Philadelphia from interstate: Plan your stops on the Chicago to Philadelphia drive, Cleveland to Philadelphia drive, Columbus to Philadelphia drive, Indianapolis to Philadelphia drive and St Louis to Philadelphia drive
- Road trips from Philadelphia: The best stops on the Philadelphia to Detroit drive.
