Planning a beach weekend? Here are 7 beaches you can drive to from Ohio within a day
Sure, Ohio might not be on a short list of beach havens in the United States. But that doesn't mean you can't find somewhere to soak up the sun this summer!
We've compiled a list of beach spots within driving distance of Ohio's major cities, including Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
Some are closer than others, but either way, it's time to start planning your beach trip and hitting the road to find sandy shores.
7 beaches you can get to from Ohio within a day
Ohio has a fair share of beaches where you can soak up the sun, so we'll start our journey in the Buckeye State before looking beyond state borders.
Notes: All driving distances and times are courtesy of Google Maps and are approximations. Some times represented in HH:MM form. Driving distance and time vary based on route selected, driving speed, traffic conditions and other factors.
1. Edgewater Park, Ohio
Edgewater Park Lower Lot Drive, Cleveland, Ohio
The westernmost park in Cleveland Metroparks' Lakefront Reservation, Edgewater Park stretches across 147 acres and features 9,000 feet of shoreline, beaches, a fishing pier, picnic areas and boat ramps.
From Cincinnati: 247 miles, or roughly a three hour, 46-minute drive
From Columbus: 141 miles, or 2:11
From Cleveland: two miles, or six minutes
2. Huntington Beach, Ohio
4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland, Ohio
Located in Bay Village on the shores of Lake Erie, Huntington Reservation offers water sports, picnic areas and expansive lakefront views as part of Cleveland Metroparks.
From Cincinnati: 250 miles, or four hours
From Columbus: 143 miles, or 2:19
From Cleveland: 15 miles, or 24 minutes
3. Fairport Harbor, Ohio
220 Third St., Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Situated along Lake Erie, Fairport Harbor is a village in Lake County, Ohio, boasting two historic lighthouses and a large public beach.
From Cincinnati: 280 miles, or 4:10
From Columbus: 173 miles, or 2:35
From Cleveland: 31 miles, or 34 minutes
4. Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania
301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, Pennsylvania
This 3,200-acre sandy peninsula in Erie, Pennsylvania, arches into Lake Erie. As Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” Presque Isle offers lots of coastline and recreational activities like swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and bicycling.
From Cincinnati: 340 miles, or 5:10
From Columbus: 235 miles, or 3:34
From Cleveland: 98 miles, or 1:36
5. Atlantic City, New Jersey
2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a resort spot along south New Jersey's Atlantic coastline known for its casinos and iconic boardwalk. If you're looking for a classic ocean beach, vacationers can get here in less than a day of driving from any major Ohio city.
From Cincinnati: 633 miles, or 10 hours
From Columbus: 530 miles, or 8:24
From Cleveland: 493 miles, or 7:38
6. Ocean City, Maryland
4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
Another ocean beach option, Ocean City, Maryland, is a resort town situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Isle of Wight Bay in southeast Maryland. This vacation destination offers theme-park attractions, outdoor recreational activities and lots of nightlife options.
From Cincinnati: 640 miles, or 10:38
From Columbus: 538 miles, 8:56
From Cleveland: 504 miles, or eight hours
7. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Buxton, North Carolina
This crowd-favorite vacation spot is made up of a collection of islands off the coast of North Carolina. Beach-goers can enjoy over 100 miles of wide-open shoreline, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and lots of charming seaside villages.
From Cincinnati: 720 miles, or 11:44
From Columbus: 685 miles or 11:06
From Cleveland: 673 miles or 10:47
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Planning a summer trip? Here are 7 beaches driving distance from Ohio
