Join us as we roll east for nearly 60 miles along Interstate 70, connecting the vibrant city of Dayton with the capital hub of Columbus, Ohio. This stretch of I-70 is more than just a high-speed link between two major Ohio cities — it’s a slice of Midwest travel that mixes busy interchanges, glimpses of small-town life, and a steady flow of rolling farmland that sets the tone for a classic interstate run across the Buckeye State.
We kick things off at the busy interchange with Interstate 75 just north of downtown Dayton. This junction is a key crossroad for anyone traveling through western Ohio, merging the north-south traffic of I-75 with the east-west corridor of I-70. As we head east out of Dayton, suburban scenery quickly unfolds. Huber Heights marks our first pause, with convenient stops at OH-202 and OH-201 offering quick refuels or snack breaks for road trippers. Past the second Huber Heights exit, we soon meet the split for OH-4 south — a connector that loops travelers back towards the heart of Dayton or out toward Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Leaving the Dayton metro behind at the interchange with I-675, the road stretches out comfortably toward Springfield. This part of the route is usually a breeze, though at the time of our trip, Ohio’s Department of Transportation was busy revamping the interchanges around U.S. Highway 68. This project has modernized access to Springfield, which we skirt to the south on a wide, efficient bypass. Keep your eyes open here: while Springfield itself is a mid-sized city with its own set of local attractions, travelers often zip through without a glance — but if you have time, the historic downtown and the nearby Heritage Center of Clark County make for worthwhile pit stops.
Beyond Springfield, the interstate settles into a straight, steady rhythm that defines mid-Ohio driving. We pass the old alignment of U.S. Highway 40, one of the original cross-country routes predating the Interstate era — a subtle nod to road history lovers. From here, it’s a straight shot east through a patchwork of rural communities: South Vienna offers a quick glimpse of small-town charm; London has a few chain stops and local diners if you need a stretch; Lafayette and West Jefferson add to the parade of quiet towns dotting the route. It’s classic Ohio — silos, farm fields, and long, flat vistas broken only by the occasional cluster of houses or highway overpass.
As Columbus draws near, traffic gradually thickens. West Jefferson is your last real exit before diving into the metro buzz. We roll past the busy interchange with Hillard-Rome Road, where suburban sprawl gives way to the commercial strip malls and shopping centers that signal you’re officially in Columbus territory. Just ahead, the Jack Nicklaus Freeway — Interstate 270 — loops around the city and feeds travelers onto countless city streets, suburbs, and business parks.
Our trip wraps up continuing eastbound on I-70 into downtown Columbus, the gateway to Ohio’s capital and a major node for anyone heading further east towards Zanesville, Wheeling, or all the way to Baltimore. Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or just chasing the horizon, this stretch of I-70 remains one of Ohio’s busiest and most essential corridors — a straight, reliable piece of America’s interstate backbone.
🗺️ Route Map
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