Indianapolis to Cleveland drive: Best stops, distance & time
The best road trip stops on the Indianapolis to Cleveland drive are Dayton, Columbus and Mansfield. The distance from Indianapolis to Cleveland by car is 317 miles, with a 4h39m driving time.
Finding the best things to do between Indianapolis and Cleveland
The Indianapolis to Cleveland drive connects the capital of Indiana to the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio.
Worthwhile Indianapolis experiences include a Fountain Square food tour and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.
There are several strong attractions in Cleveland, including the Cleveland History Center. But the big stand out is the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. It’s an extremely reverent trawl through rock ‘n roll history, looking at the origins and development of the genre. There’s a massive amount of memorabilia, with sections devoted to several Hall of Fame inductees.
The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame is dense, detailed and capable of sucking up the best part of a day.
Alternatively, Cleveland tour options focus on neighbourhood food scenes, the city’s best craft breweries and Downtown’s public art.
Indianapolis to Cleveland distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Indianapolis to Cleveland is 317 miles. That makes for a driving time of four hours and 39 minutes. The quickest route heads along the I-70 then the I-71.
The best stops to add to an Indianapolis to Cleveland road trip itinerary are Dayton, Columbus and Mansfield in Ohio.
Best stops between Indianapolis and Cleveland: Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio, isn’t a massive city, but it has more than played its part in history. It was here that Orville and Wilbur Wright created the first plane capable of manned, sustained flight. The original Wright Cycle Company Shop that still stands is not where the Wright Flyer was made – that was a future incarnation of the company HQ – but it was home to their bicycle business.
In Dayton, you can also visit the SunWatch Indian Village, a recreated Native American village, and the National Museum of the US Air Force.
- Get more road trip ideas on our guide to the Indianapolis to Dayton drive.
Indianapolis to Cleveland road trip attractions: Columbus, Ohio.
In Columbus, a three day attractions pass covers most of the top sights. These include the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. For other Columbus experiences, try scavenger hunts, a town tour aboard the Trolley Pub and the Legoland Discovery Center.
- Find more stops on the Dayton to Columbus drive.
Best attractions between Dayton and Cleveland: Mansfield, Ohio
There are several attractions in the small Ohio city of Mansfield. These include the Buckeye Imagination Museum, which provides hands-on, play-based learning for kids, and historic Oak Hill Cottage.
The highlight, however, is the Ohio State Reformatory. This former prison offers several guided tours, including one with a Shawshank Redemption theme. The film was shot here. Other tours go into executions and life behind bars.
- Check out more attractions on the Columbus to Cleveland drive.
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