You're standing in the middle of the Short North in Columbus, sipping an overpriced oat milk latte, and you realize you need to get to Zanesville. Maybe it's for work. Maybe you're heading to the Wilds to see a rhino. Or maybe you just really want a doughnut from Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl.
The drive from Columbus OH to Zanesville OH is one of those stretches of pavement that people think they know, but usually don't.
It’s about 55 miles. Give or take.
If you look at a map, it’s a straight shot east on Interstate 70. Easy, right? Well, sort of. If you leave at 4:30 PM on a Friday, that "easy" hour-long commute turns into a slow-motion crawl through the Reynoldsburg bottleneck that will make you question every life choice you’ve ever made.
Honestly, the transition from the high-rise energy of Franklin County to the rolling, Appalachian-foothill vibes of Muskingum County is pretty jarring if you’re paying attention. You go from the tech-heavy sprawl of Intel’s new shadow to a place that feels deeply rooted in Ohio’s industrial and pioneer past.
The Reality of the Commute and Traffic Patterns
Most people assume the drive is a boring flat line. It’s not. Once you pass Buckeye Lake, the geography starts to ripple.
If you’re driving from Columbus OH to Zanesville OH, you have to account for the "Pataskala Factor." As Columbus has expanded eastward, the traffic density has shifted. The stretch between I-270 and State Route 310 is notoriously twitchy. Accidents near the Kirkersville exit happen frequently because the speed limit stays high while the volume of merging semi-trucks increases.
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According to ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) data, I-70 remains the primary artery, but savvy locals know that U.S. Route 40, the Old National Road, runs almost perfectly parallel.
Why does this matter?
Because I-70 is a magnet for construction. In 2024 and 2025, several bridge rehabilitation projects near the Licking and Muskingum county lines have led to lane restrictions. If you see red on Google Maps near Gratiot, just bail. Hop on Route 40. It’s slower, sure, but it’s infinitely more scenic and you won't be staring at the mud flaps of a Freightliner for forty minutes.
Hidden Gems Along the National Road
You’ve got to stop at least once. If you just hammer the gas and ignore the exits, you’re missing the actual soul of Central Ohio.
Buckeye Lake and the "In-Between"
Just a few miles south of the I-70 corridor lies Buckeye Lake. It’s Ohio’s oldest state park. While it used to have a reputation for being a bit... rowdy... it’s undergone a massive revitalization. The dam was rebuilt recently, and the North Shore is now packed with places like the Buckeye Lake Brewery. It’s a weirdly perfect halfway point for a leg stretch.
The Ceramics History
As you get closer to Zanesville, you’re entering what was once the "Pottery Capital of the World." This isn't just some marketing slogan; the clay in this region of the Muskingum River Valley was uniquely suited for manufacturing. You’ll see the remnants of this in the architecture of the small towns like Roseville and Crooksville just south of the main route.
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The Zanesville Museum of Art holds a staggering collection of Weller, Roseville, and J.B. Owens pottery. If you think "old vases" sounds boring, you’ve clearly never seen the Art Nouveau designs that were coming out of this area in the early 1900s. It was the Silicon Valley of its day, just with dirt and kilns instead of chips and code.
The Famous Y-Bridge: A Geographic Oddity
When you finally pull into Zanesville, you have to drive across the Y-Bridge.
It’s exactly what it sounds like.
Located at the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers, it is a three-way bridge. There is a famous story—often attributed to Amelia Earhart—that Zanesville is the only place in the world where you can "drive to the middle of a bridge and turn left."
Is it the only one in the world? Probably not. But it’s the only one you’re likely to see in Ohio.
The current structure is actually the fourth or fifth iteration of the bridge. The first was built in the early 1800s out of wood. Driving over it today feels like a rite of passage for anyone traveling from Columbus OH to Zanesville OH. It connects the downtown area with the western neighborhoods and provides a killer view of the riverfront, especially during the fall when the hardwoods on the hills start to turn.
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Where to Eat (The Real Recommendations)
Don't go to a chain. Seriously. You’re in a region with some of the most authentic "old school" Ohio food left in the state.
- Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl: This place is a time capsule. It’s been around since 1948. When you walk in, it smells like roasted nuts and sugar. They serve their ice cream in heavy glass bowls, and the "Black and White" sundae is legendary. It’s not fancy. It’s just right.
- Adornetto’s Selected Italian Foods: If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, this is the Zanesville staple. It’s the kind of place where the portions are huge and the red sauce has been simmering for a week.
- Giacomo’s Bread & More: Located downtown, this is where you go for a sandwich that actually has crusty, house-baked bread.
Logistics: Fuel, Charging, and Timing
If you’re driving an EV, the infrastructure is catching up but it's not quite "Columbus-level" yet. There are high-speed chargers in Columbus (obviously) and a few reliable Tesla Superchargers and Level 2 stations near the Zanesville malls and major hotel clusters off Maple Avenue.
Pro-tip on Fuel: Gas is almost always five to ten cents cheaper in Zanesville than it is in downtown Columbus or the Bexley area. If you can wait to fill up until you hit Muskingum County, your wallet will thank you.
Weather Concerns: This is important. The "Zanesville Hills" start just east of the Newark exits. During winter storms, I-70 through this stretch can become a skating rink. Because of the elevation changes, the temperature often drops a few degrees as you head east, meaning rain in Columbus can easily be freezing rain or sleet in Zanesville. Always check the OHGO app before heading out in January or February.
The Wilds: A Worthy Detour
Technically, The Wilds is in Cumberland, but it’s the primary reason many people make the trip from Columbus OH to Zanesville OH. It’s nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed strip-mined land that has been turned into a safari park managed by the Columbus Zoo.
Seeing a giraffe standing in a field that looks like the African savanna—but is actually rural Ohio—is a surreal experience. You have to book these tours in advance. Don't just show up and expect to get on a bus.
Actionable Insights for the Drive
If you want the smoothest experience possible, follow these specific steps:
- Time your exit: Avoid the 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM window leaving Columbus. If you must leave then, take U.S. 40 through Reynoldsburg until you hit the open road past Etna.
- Monitor the "Licking County Split": Keep an eye on the signage near the SR-37 exit. If there’s a wreck ahead, SR-37 north to State Route 16 (the Newark Expressway) is a viable, albeit longer, detour that gets you into Zanesville from the north via SR-146.
- Check the Brakes: If you aren't used to hill driving, be aware that the descents into the Muskingum valley can be steeper than they look. Don't ride your brakes the whole way down the "Zanesville Hill" on I-70; downshift if you're in a larger vehicle.
- Download your Podcasts: There is a notorious "dead zone" for certain cell carriers near the Brownsville exit. Your Spotify will buffer. Be prepared.
- Park Downtown: Zanesville is very walkable near the Y-Bridge. Park near the courthouse—the architecture is stunning—and walk over to the riverfront for the best photos.
The drive isn't just a way to get from Point A to Point B. It’s a transition from the "New Ohio" of tech and finance into the "Original Ohio" of industry and hills. Enjoy the curves, watch your speed in the small villages if you take the back roads, and definitely get the extra scoop of chocolate at Tom's.