title: Best Time to Drive Through Columbus
url: https://boardspy.site/blog/best-time-to-drive-through-columbus/
type: Article
dateModified: 2026-08-28
publisher: BoardSpy
quick_answer: Quick answer: Between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or after 6:30 p.m. Avoid 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
primary_keyword: best time to drive through columbus
keywords[5]{term}:
  best time to drive through columbus
  driving through columbus ohio traffic
  avoid columbus traffic i-70
  i-71 through columbus
  i-270 columbus
faqs[3]{q,a}:
  What is the best time to drive through Columbus?,Between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or after 6:30 p.m. Avoid 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
  Should I take I-270 around Columbus?,For through-traffic, usually yes. I-270 is a complete ring around the city and avoids the downtown section where I-70 and I-71 run together, which is the main bottleneck.
  What is the I-70 and I-71 split in Columbus?,The two interstates merge and run together on a shared stretch through downtown Columbus before splitting again. That shared section carries two interstates' worth of traffic plus local access, and it is where delays concentrate.
citations[3]{name,url}:
  Ohio Turnpike — Service plazas,https://www.ohioturnpike.org/travelers/service-plazas
  ODOT — Rest Areas,https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/travel/rest-areas
  BoardSpy — best time to drive through Indianapolis,https://boardspy.site/blog/best-time-to-drive-through-indianapolis/
internal_links[2]{label,url}:
  best time to drive through Indianapolis,https://boardspy.site/blog/best-time-to-drive-through-indianapolis/
  best time to drive through Chicago,https://boardspy.site/blog/best-time-to-drive-through-chicago/