Ohio Road Trip Ideas: 10 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Isn’t there something glorious about hitting the open road? Fortunately, we have no shortage of Ohio road trip ideas to choose from. When the weather inspires you to get out and drive — whether you’re looking for a long weekend road trip, a natural wonders road trip, or something else altogether — you can rest assured that the Buckeye State is quite road-trip-friendly. So gas up the car, pick out your favorite playlist, and browse the fun-filled road trip itineraries we’ve charted out below. In addition to an overview, we’ve also linked out the route for you. All you need to do is get in the car and go! Without further ado, here are some of the very best road trips in Ohio:

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For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

1-Day Road Trip In Ohio

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• Route: Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse > Old Main Fairport Harbor Lighthouse > Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse > Cleveland West Pierhead Lighthouse > Lorain Lighthouse > Vermilion Lighthouse > Port Clinton Lighthouse > Marblehead Lighthouse
• Distance: 164 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hr 30 min driving time

You might associate lighthouses with the East Coast, but it's also true that Ohio has its fair share of gorgeous lighthouses. For proof of this, look no further than our Ohio lighthouse road trip. Located along the shores of Lake Erie, these beacons are equal parts picturesque and historic. The trip begins with the 100-year-old Ashtabula Lighthouse, a true bucket-list destination.

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3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Ohio

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• Route: Slyman’s Restaurant > Buckeye Express Diner > Schmidt’s Sausage Haus > Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina > Seven Miles Smokehouse > The Golden Lamb > The Spot To Eat > Kewpee Hamburgers > Tony Packo’s
• Distance: 651 miles
• Trip Time: 11 hr 5 min driving time

Ohio is a food lover's paradise. That's exactly why we created the three-day restaurant road trip through Ohio, which will take you to some of the state's best and most unique eateries. From authentic German cuisine to Mexican, barbecue, and much more, this road trip is one your taste buds will adore.

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Cleveland Road Trip

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• Route: Solstice Steps > Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument > Towpath Mounds > Mill Creek Falls > West Creek Reservation > Worden's Ledges > Cuyahoga Valley National Park > The Holden Arboretum > Paine Falls Park
• Distance: 121 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hr driving time

When was the last time you really explored Cleveland? Perhaps you call this great city home but haven't gotten out to explore its most famous landmarks in a while. No matter the reason, this Cleveland road trip is bound to inspire you. From natural attractions to man-made wonders, this Great Cleveland trip has something for everyone.

Ohio Amish Country Road Trip

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• Route: Lehman's Hardware > Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen > Walnut Creek Cheese > Schrock's Heritage Village > Sugarcreek > Amish Door Restaurant
• Distance: 38 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hr 3 min driving time

Ohio is home to some of the most beautiful Amish scenery, restaurants, and attractions in the U.S. On this Amish Country Ohio road trip, you'll get to experience some impressive furniture stores, hardware stores, restaurants, small towns, and country stores. In short, it's a positively delightful experience for all ages!

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Best Ohio Road Trip For Spring

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Route: West Liberty Covered Bridge > Harpersfield Covered Bridge > Jefferson Township Covered Bridge > Caine Road Bridge > State Road Bridge > Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge

Distance: 86 miles

Trip Time: 2 hr 11 min

Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than embarking on a covered bridges road trip through Ohio? This road trip is a fantastic tour of the Ashtabula County Covered Bridges Tour. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely drive or are fascinated by Ohio's covered bridges and their history, you'll be glad you opted for this springtime adventure. Don't forget your camera!

Best Summer Road Trip In Ohio

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• Route: Hayden Falls > Indian Run Falls > Big (and Little) Lyons Falls > West (and East) Falls > Brandywine Falls > Lanterman's Falls > Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Cedar Falls
• Distance: 550 miles
• Trip Time: 9 hr 40 min driving time

Summer is in the air, and it's the season for adventure! This waterfall road trip through Ohio is a lengthy adventure, but worth every hour of driving time. From unexpected urban waterfalls to hidden-away forested falls, this trip is full of surprises. Plus, you'll get the chance to do a little hiking as well. What could be better?

Best Ohio Road Trip For Fall

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• Route: Wayne National Forest > Hocking Hills State Park > Ohio Amish Country > Mohican State Park > Cuyahoga Valley National Park > Ashtabula County Covered Bridges
• Distance: 395 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hr 30 min driving time

Ohio is beautiful in every season, yet fall brings its own brand of magic. To embrace the changing colors, we've devised an Ohio fall foliage road trip. Along the way, you'll experience beautiful Amish country, covered bridges, dense forests, and waterfalls. Basically, everything we love about Ohio all in one convenient drive!

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Best Winter Road Trip In Ohio

Andrew Borgen / flickr

• Route: Boston Mills > Findlay Ghost Town > Tadmor > Utopia > Moonville > Carpenter’s Mill
• Distance: 548 miles
• Trip Time: 9 hr 30 min

Brave the chill and prepare to embark on an unforgettable road trip -- one that will take you to Ohio's most eerie ghost towns. From man-made ghost towns to abandoned mining villages, there's no shortage of unique and eerie places to explore on this road trip itinerary. Just be sure to be mindful of any trespassing signs. Always proceed with caution!

Family Friendly Ohio Road Trip

Wikipedia

• Route: The Escape Game Cincinnati > Jungle Jim's International Market > Two Cities Pizza Co. > Hocking Hills State Park > The Book Loft of German Village > Schmidt's Sausage Haus
• Distance: 205 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hr 51 min

Are you planning on taking a road trip with the kiddos? If so, we've got the perfect itinerary for you. This family-friendly road trip to Ohio's coolest attractions is sure to impress everyone in your crew. The trip includes some fun activities, attractions, and mouthwatering restaurants to boot. What's not to love?

Road Trip to Ohio Landmarks & Natural Wonders

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• Route: Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve > Seneca Caverns > Brandywine Falls > Rockbridge State Nature Preserve > Old Man's Cave > The Rock House > Glen Helen Nature Preserve > Crystal King and the Ohio Caverns > Oak Openings
• Distance: 584 miles
• Trip Time: 11 hr 10 min driving time

Calling all nature enthusiasts! This road trip to Ohio's most impressive natural wonders and landmarks is like something from a dream. During this drive, you'll get to experience the most beautiful places in the state, from the Ohio Caverns to Hocking Hills State Park. You'll definitely want to bring some comfortable shoes with you so that you can explore each of these amazing destinations.

So, which of these adventures speaks to you? Do you prefer weekend road trips in Ohio or quick road trips in Ohio? Share your thoughts with us — we’d love to hear from you! And, for even more travel inspiration, take a look at this stunning footage of Ash Cave: