Route 23 to I-65: Frankenmuth to New Albany Road Trip Guide

Frankenmuth, Michigan, known as Little Bavaria, sits at the confluence of the Cass and Saginaw Rivers. New Albany, Indiana, lies on the Ohio River opposite Louisville. Between them stretches roughly 440 miles (708 km) of Midwestern highway, blending rural farmland, industrial corridors, and rolling hills. The route primarily follows I-75 south to I-475 around Toledo, then I-75/US-23 to I-275 west of Cincinnati, and finally I-65 south to New Albany. A historical quirk: the stretch of US-23 through Ohio roughly traces the former Indian path known as the Scioto Trail, later a stagecoach route.

Estimated driving time without stops is 6 hours 40 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes, depending on traffic around Toledo and Cincinnati. On a national scale, this trip is how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities along a well-traveled corridor.

The route offers ample fueling options about every 30-40 miles along the interstate. However, on US-23 between Carey and Columbus, gas stations become sparser; plan accordingly. Toll roads are minimal except for optional express lanes near Chicago (not used here). The Ohio Turnpike (I-80/90) near Toledo is a separate toll road, but our route stays on I-475 freeway.

• Recommended fuel stops: exit 52 on I-75 (Perrysburg, OH) and exit 58 on I-65 (Columbus, IN).
• Construction zones: I-75 around Lima, OH, and I-65 near Indianapolis often have lane restrictions. Check ODOT and INDOT alerts.
• Rest areas: Michigan’s I-75 rest areas near Wolverine, Ohio’s US-23 rest area near Delaware, Indiana’s I-65 rest area near Taylorsville.

The route is predominantly multi-lane divided highway with good lighting. However, US-23 north of Columbus, OH, has several at-grade intersections and a speed limit of 55 mph. Watch for deer crossings, especially at dawn and dusk near agricultural fields. In Ohio, distracted driving laws are enforced; hands-free devices are mandatory.

Family-friendly stops: The Imagination Station science museum in Toledo (exit 202 on I-75) and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (exit 6 on I-75). For pets: many rest areas have designated pet walking areas, but the Maumee Bay Brewing Company in Toledo allows leashed dogs on its patio.

To manage fatigue, plan a break every 2 hours. Good rest zones include the rest area on I-75 north of Findlay, OH (milepost 157), and the rest area on I-65 south of Columbus, IN (milepost 50). Avoid driving through Cincinnati during rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM) as traffic on I-75 and I-275 can be heavy.

• Road quality: I-75 in Michigan is rated good; US-23 in Ohio has patches and uneven pavement; I-65 in Indiana is newly repaved in many sections.
• Emergency services: Dial 511 for road conditions in each state or use the INRIX traffic app.

Leaving Frankenmuth, the landscape shifts from Michigan’s flat agricultural plains to the glacially sculpted moraines of northern Ohio. The Sandusky Plains region near Upper Sandusky offers broad farmland views. Approaching Cincinnati, the terrain becomes rolling, with exposed Ordovician limestone along the Ohio River valley. New Albany sits on the Floyds Knobs, a series of hills carved by the Ohio River’s meanders.

Best stops for natural scenery: Maumee State Park (exit 71 on I-475) offers a glimpse of the Great Black Swamp restoration. The Delaware State Park on US-23 near Delaware, OH, has a 240-acre lake. Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, IN, presents dramatic waterfalls just 30 minutes off-route via State Road 7.

• Commercial hubs: Find local produce at the Findlay Market in Cincinnati (exit 1 on I-75), or antiques in Sharonville, OH.
• Unique roadside attractions: The World’s Largest Bicycle in Piqua, OH (US-36), and the Popcorn Festival in Van Buren, IN (I-69).