Ohio driving guide

Ohio’s beautiful roads make for excellent driving. But with its own laws, seasonal weather and stretches of open road, there’s a lot to learn.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you hit the highway. From toll roads in Ohio to speed limits, keep yourself safe with our useful driving guide.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Ohio and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• Right of way – when two vehicles approach or meet at an intersection, the driver on the right side has right of way in Ohio.
• Headlights – from sunset to sunrise, or during moments of insufficient light (such as rainy weather, fog, or other obfuscating conditions) your headlights should be in use.
• Cellphone – in Ohio, you can’t use a handheld cellphone or any other electronic wireless communications device.

Speed limits in Ohio

The speed limit in Ohio varies depending on whether you’re driving on a rural highway, urban freeway or residential road. Here are the maximum speed limits for each.

Toll roads in Ohio

While toll roads in Ohio aren’t common, there is one – the Ohio Turnpike – which offers motorists a convenient corridor for traveling across the state.

Ohio Turnpike

The Ohio Turnpike is a 241-mile, limited-access toll road that stretches from the Illinois border all the way to the Pennsylvania state line. It covers parts of the I-80, I-90 and I-76, creating a convenient link to Chicago in the west (via the Indiana Toll Road) and Pittsburgh in the east (via the Pennsylvania Turnpike).

From: Northwest Township, Edon

To: Springfield Township, Petersburg

Cost for car: $14.75 with E-ZPass for the full journey – or $21.50 without.

Cost for truck: From $26.00 with E-ZPass for the full journey – or from $36.50 without.

Costs can also vary based on the start and exit points of your trip.

How to pay: Cash and card are accepted at the interchanges. E-ZPass transponders can also be used for a discounted rate.

Driving ages and license requirements in Ohio

• The minimum driving age in Ohio is 18 years old for an unrestricted driving license.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Ohio is 20 years old with Hertz.
• Renters must have a valid driving license, in good standing for more than a year.

Between 20 and 24 years old? Check out our tips for renting under 25 with Hertz.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Ohio

In your vehicle, you must have the following items:

• License – it’s a legal requirement to have your driving license while operating a vehicle in Ohio, so don’t forget to bring it with you.
• Passport or national ID – having convenient access to your ID may be useful, especially as a visitor to the state.
• Owner’s manual – if any issues arise with your rental vehicle, this may help you solve the issue or at least tackle it until you can get somewhere safe.
• Puncture kit – in the event your tires are damaged, you may be able to make quick repairs to get you to a garage.
• First aid kit – while a first aid kit is convenient, when driving it could be lifesaving – especially if you’re involved in a motoring accident.

For a list of items you can and can’t carry in your Hertz car, be sure to check your rental terms.

Ohio speed violations, infractions and penalties

While there’s not a country in the world without penalties for speeding, they can vary in punishment and severity depending on where you visit. The same is true of the US, where laws can vary by state.

Going over the speed limit in Ohio could result in a fine of up to $150, and multiple speed convictions can result in jail time and an increased fine. Points can vary, from 2 to 4 points based on the severity of your speeding ticket.

Driving with children in Ohio

Driving rules in Ohio dictate certain child safety passenger laws, depending on their height, weight or age. Child passenger safety standards and car seat requirements in Ohio include:

• Children under 4 years old or less than 40 pounds should be secured in an appropriate child safety seat.
• Children aged 4 to 8 years old, who either weigh 40 pounds or more, or are shorter than 4’9”, should be in a child safety seat or suitable booster seat.
• Children aged 8 to 15 years old should always be secured in a seatbelt, wherever they are in the car.

Gas prices in Ohio

The average gas price in Ohio is $3.73 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

·       For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.09 per mile.

·       For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.12 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 20, 2022.

Electric car charging in Ohio

Ohio has more than 200 publicly available EV charging stations, with a continued effort to add more. Not all charging points meet modern standards for accessibility, such as being within a mile of a highway exit.

There are helpful sites to find charge stations, so if you’re running a plug-in hybrid or electric rental, it may be worth knowing which stations are nearby.

Driving between Ohio

Driving a Hertz rental car between states is okay, and you can even opt for a one-way rental to drop off in a different location if it suits you. Just consider looking into the driving laws of the states you’re visiting, as these can vary.

Nearby states to Ohio include:

• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Michigan
• Indiana
• Kentucky

Driving conditions in Ohio

Ohio’s climate is seasonal, with warm, humid summers and snowy winters. That means it’s best to plan for the season you’re visiting in, as you’ll see a variety of weather conditions. The temperature can vary from 22°F to 84°F but may rise higher or lower.

Ohio has dealt with extreme weather conditions in the past, such as floods, tornadoes, snowstorms and severe heatwaves. When traveling, it’s worth checking on and adhering to any major weather warnings.