Commuting from Newark, Ohio to Columbus and New Albany
Newark is a car town. Almost everyone who works outside the city drives, and the main question for commuters is how far west they go each day.
Drive times from downtown Newark
Approximate, in normal traffic. Rush hour on OH-161 and I-270 adds time.
| Destination | Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel site, New Albany (Ohio One campus) | OH-16 west to OH-161 west, exit at Mink Street / Beech Road | About 20 miles | 25 to 30 min |
| New Albany business park (Google, Meta, Amazon data centers) | OH-16 to OH-161 | About 20 miles | 25 to 30 min |
| Easton / I-270 north side | OH-16 to OH-161 to I-270 | About 30 miles | 35 to 45 min |
| Downtown Columbus | OH-16 to I-270 to I-670, or OH-16 all the way in | About 40 miles | 45 to 60 min |
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport | OH-16 to I-270 south to I-670 | About 35 miles | 40 to 50 min |
| Reynoldsburg / I-70 east side | OH-79 south to I-70 west | About 25 miles | 30 to 35 min |
| Zanesville | OH-16 east to I-70 | About 30 miles | 35 to 40 min |
The two routes west
- OH-16 (the Newark expressway). The default route. Four lanes, limited access from Newark through Granville to OH-161, which continues as a freeway into New Albany and to I-270.
- I-70 via OH-79. Better if your destination is on the south or east side of Columbus, or if OH-161 is backed up. Hebron is the on-ramp.
Transit
Licking County Transit runs demand-response and limited fixed-route service within the county. There is no regular commuter bus between Newark and Columbus, so plan on driving or carpooling. The county transit page has schedules and fares.
Cycling and trails
The T.J. Evans Trail is a paved rail-trail that runs from Newark west through Granville to Johnstown, and a separate branch heads toward Heath and the Blackhand Gorge area. It is a practical bike route between Newark and Granville and a popular weekend ride.
Parking downtown
Downtown Newark has metered on-street parking around the square and city surface lots and a garage nearby. Parking is rarely the problem it is in Columbus.
Part of the Moving to Newark, Ohio guide. Spot an error? Let us know.