Finding the halfway point between two locations is a common question for road trippers and travelers looking to break up long drives. Ohio and Las Vegas are separated by over 2,000 miles driving distance, so pinpointing the exact midpoint can help with planning fuel and rest stops.
Quick Answer
The halfway point between Ohio and Las Vegas is located in central Kansas, around the small town of Larned. This is about 1,050 miles from both starting points.
Calculating the Midpoint
To calculate the midpoint between two locations, the distance and direction need to be determined. For a road trip between Ohio and Las Vegas, the most direct route follows major interstates:
- Start in Ohio
- Take I-70 west through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri
- Continue on I-70 through Kansas
- Merge onto I-15 south in Utah
- Arrive in Las Vegas, NV
This route covers approximately 2,150 miles over deserts, plains, and mountains. The halfway point is about 1,075 miles from both the start and end locations.
Using a Midpoint Calculator
To get an exact midpoint, online calculators can map the latitude and longitude coordinates of each location. Here are the coordinates for Ohio and Vegas:
| Location | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 40.367474 | -82.996216 |
| Las Vegas | 36.169941 | -115.139830 |
Entering these coordinates into a midpoint calculator gives us a halfway point at:
Latitude: 38.2718082
Longitude: -98.9647349
This location is in the middle of Kansas, just south of the small town of Larned off of Highway 156.
What’s in the Middle of Ohio and Vegas?
The landscape on the drive from Ohio to Nevada varies dramatically from east to west. Ohio is characterized by rolling green hills, farmlands, and dense forests. Heading west, the landscape slowly transforms into the expansive plains and prairie lands of Kansas and eastern Colorado. The mountain ranges of Utah and Nevada feature rocky desert terrain.
Ohio
Starting in eastern Ohio, I-70 passes through the state capital of Columbus. This metropolitan area is home to over 2 million residents and is the center of Ohio culture and commerce. Further west, Ohio’s landscapes include farms, vineyards, and small towns.
Indiana & Illinois
The drive continues across Indiana and into Illinois. Along this stretch are smaller industrial cities like Indianapolis, IN and Terre Haute, IN. The road passes south of Chicago through miles of midwestern farmland. There are also several large lakes and state parks.
Missouri
Continuing west on I-70, the landscape enters the Great Plains in central Missouri. The highway connects Kansas City and St. Louis, bisecting the state. This area is predominately rural, with rolling green hills.
Kansas
The middle section of the drive through Kansas showcases the immense prairies and agricultural land of America’s heartland. Much of this land is used for farming wheat, corn, and soybeans. The Flint Hills region contains the largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie that once covered the Great Plains.
In the center of the state, the small town of Larned sits along the Arkansas River. At just over 4,000 residents, it epitomizes a slow-paced midwestern lifestyle surrounded by rural countryside.
Colorado
Continuing west, I-70 enters the high desert landscape of eastern Colorado. The highway connects Denver, the state’s bustling capital. Leaving Denver, the drive ascends into the Rocky Mountains.
Utah
After crossing the Rockies, the road descends along the eastern edge of Utah’s high plateau country. This rugged desert landscape is dotted with red sandstone formations and carved mesas. I-15 connects the urban corridor of Provo to the south.
Nevada
Finally, the landscape enters the Nevada desert. Las Vegas sits in a basin surrounded by arid mountains and Joshua trees. This neon metropolis offers gambling, entertainment, restaurants, and indulgence unlike anywhere else.
Major Attractions Along the Route
Stopping to enjoy interesting attractions can make the long drive between Ohio and Las Vegas more engaging. Here are some top sights spanning the midpoint:
| Location | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Ohio | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland) |
| Indiana | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| Illinois | Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (Springfield) |
| Missouri | Gateway Arch (St. Louis) |
| Kansas | Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum |
| Colorado | Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs) |
| Utah | Arches National Park |
| Nevada | Las Vegas Strip |
Planning stops at unique attractions can transform a mundane drive into an unforgettable road trip adventure.
Typical Drive Times
The total trip driving directly between Ohio and Vegas along I-70 covers around 2,150 miles. This drive would take about 32-36 hours of nonstop driving at an average speed of 60-65 mph. Splitting this into a comfortable road trip, hitting the halfway point takes:
- Ohio to Larned, KS: About 16-18 hours
- Larned, KS to Las Vegas: About 16-18 hours
Stopping for gas, food, sleep, and sightseeing along the way adds considerable time. Most travelers split this trip into 3-5 days depending on pace.
Ohio to Larned, KS
The drive from Ohio to the halfway point in Larned, KS covers around 1,050 miles if taking the most direct route along I-70. Without stops, this drive would take about 16-18 hours of driving at an average highway speed.
Splitting this into a 2-3 day road trip allows plenty of time for stopping to see attractions in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and eastern Kansas. Overnight stays in major cities like Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City can break up the long days on the road.
Larned, KS to Las Vegas
After resting overnight in Larned, the second half of the drive covers another 1,050 miles enroute to Las Vegas. This direct drive takes approximately 16-18 hours.
Travelers aiming to turn this into a scenic road trip adventure could easily spend 2-3 days covering this ground. There are many natural wonders to explore in western Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
Midpoint Dining and Lodging
The small town of Larned, KS is conveniently located right along I-70 to provide road trippers ample dining and lodging options. Here are some top rated places to eat and sleep at the midpoint:
Dining in Larned
- The Wagon Wheel Cafe – cozy diner with hearty breakfast
- Komodo – Asian fusion including sushi, hibachi
- Wooden Spoon – locally owned comfort food
- Bro’s BBQ – smoked meats and classic sides
Lodging in Larned
- Holiday Inn Express – indoor pool, free breakfast
- Coronado Motel – affordable rooms with microwave, fridge
- Arrow Motel – discount rates, simple rooms
- Rodeway Inn – basic rooms with WiFi, pets allowed
The small town charm of Larned offers convenient amenities for road trippers passing through. It’s a perfect spot to rest and recharge at the halfway point between Ohio and Vegas.
Alternative Midpoint Stop – Salina, Kansas
Located just 50 miles north of Larned along I-70, Salina is a larger city with more services for travelers. With a population around 47,000, Salina provides more options for dining, hotels, entertainment, and activities.
Some popular attractions in Salina include:
- Smoky Hill Museum – regional history exhibits
- Rolling Hills Zoo – 300+ species
- Indian Rock Petroglyph Site – ancient rock art
- Watkins Community Museum – vintage aircraft & automobiles
Salina has an assortment of family chain hotels and restaurants located just off the interstate. The city could serve as an alternative stopping point halfway between Ohio and Vegas.
Planning Your Route
The route between Ohio and Las Vegas via I-70 is the most efficient option without major detours. However, travelers with extra time could consider some scenic alternates:
- U.S. Route 40 – Historic route running parallel north of I-70 in Kansas
- U.S. Route 36 – Passes through St. Joseph, Missouri along the Oregon Trail route
- Colorado State Highway 9 – Mountain drive from Denver through scenic towns like Breckenridge
- U.S. Route 191 – Cuts through amazing national parks like Arches and Canyonlands in Utah
While less direct, taking scenic side highways allows you to experience more of the regional destinations and history. Using a combination of major interstates and side routes can help break up long days spent driving.
Conclusion
For road trippers starting in Ohio and driving to Las Vegas, the small town of Larned, Kansas marks the approximate halfway point. Located about 1,050 miles from both starting locations, Larned provides a perfect spot to stop and take a rest break.
The total cross-country drive covers over 2,100 miles across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Allotting time to stop and explore unique regional attractions can transform this long journey into an unforgettable adventure.
With careful planning, the halfway point in Larned serves as an attainable first day destination. After an overnight stay, travelers can wake up refreshed to complete the second half of the drive arriving in Las Vegas.