The best stops on a Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip are the John and Annie Glenn Museum, Columbus and Kings Island. The distance from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati by car is 289 miles, with a 4h26m driving time.
Planning a Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip itinerary
A Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip links western Pennsylvania to southern Ohio. But more importantly, it joins two of the most outrageously underrated cities in the US.
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.
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.
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati is 289 miles. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and 26 minutes. The quickest route goes along the I-70 and I-71.
The best stops to add to a Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip itinerary are the John and Annie Glenn Museum, Columbus and Kings Island.
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip attractions: John and Annie Glenn Museum
Astronaut turned senator John Glenn was born in Cambridge, Ohio. Confusingly, however, his childhood home has been moved to nearby New Concord, where it is now a museum of American history.
The John and Annie Glenn Museum attempts to explain decades of change through the life and work of John, and his disability rights campaigner wife Annie. Topics touched upon include American family life during the Great Depression, the home front in WWII and the Space Race.
Best stops on a Pittsburgh to Cincinnati road trip: 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.
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati drive: 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 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.
- Cincinnati road trip guides: Take on the Cincinnati to Chicago drive.
- Guide to the Toledo to Chicago drive.
- What to expect when visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum in Ohio.
