Southwest Columbus
(free parking)
To start in Columbus, try this FlipFlop southbound option using the shuttle in the middle Cincinnati to Cleveland.
Part 1: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50401761
<PRE-ARRANGE Northbound Shuttle> Zipi Transit
Part 2: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50401784
Overnight Trailhead parking in Southwest Franklin County with Registration Card:
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park allows parking overnight (or a few nights) as long as you fill out the registration card.
FORM >>>BDCMP Reg form
Optional Tire Dip: You could use the canoe access for a quick tire dip in the Darby Creek along with the traditional Ohio River and Lake Erie tire dipping spots.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION:
Fill out the form and drop it in the box near the ramp to the westbound trail. If you forget this form, the cards should also be available at the drop box.
Parking Lot Location:
8465 Alkire Road, Grove City, OH 43123
(Sometimes listed as 8465 Alkire Rd, Galloway, OH 43119)
Drop Box Location: 39.893442, -83.216204
The canoe access is west of the circular drive in the parking area.
The parking lot gate is closed at night.
Getting to the Trail by Greyhound/FlixBus
As of February 22, 2023, you’ll have both FlixBus and Greyhound rides to choose from when you visit flixbus.com or use the FlixBus App. FlixBus services remain unchanged, and you can expect the same travel experience on board FlixBus. Some FlixBuses have bike racks on the back for 5 bikes. If the bike spaces are full when you reserve, you have the ability to pack a bike and put it in the luggage hold (no e-Bikes or recumbents permitted).
Visit: https://www.flixbus.com/greyhound
STATIONS:
Cleveland Bus Station, 1465 Chester Ave, 44114 Cleveland, OH LINK
(3 miles from Wendy Park)
Akron Bus Station, 631 S Broadway St. Akron, OH 44311 LINK
(1/2 mile east of the trail on W. Bartges St.)
Cincinnati Bus Station, 398 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237 LINK
(11 Miles west of the trail at Miamiville)
Getting to the Trail by Amtrak
Although there is not currently a passenger rail that parallels the Ohio to Erie Trail, there are east-west Amtrak routes that stop in Cleveland and Cincinnati and you can bring your bike for an extra charge.
For more information: https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
Rental Cars and Moving Vans
Some riders found that the Shuttle was not available or convenient when they wanted to travel and used a one-way rental car or moving van to accomplish their goal. If you need help figuring out this option you can visit the enthusiasts fb group to ask how people arranged it. Join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/365793010917596.
Deciding on Direction of Travel:
When you are deciding which end to begin, you can decide if you want a tailwind (northbound) or a headwind (southbond). Of course, Ohio's weather is never the same day twice and often we can experience all 4 seasons in the course of a week, but in general, the primary wind direction over much of Ohio is from the southwest, as measured at National Weather Service sites at larger cities.
Some variability occurs but most weather stations report long-term average winds from a direction between south and west-southwest. The wind can blow from any direction on any given day however, primarily due to Ohio’s location with respect to the position of large high pressure areas and storm systems that are continually moving across the continent. The average daily wind velocity around Ohio is approximately nine mph. Wind velocity varies however by season and location, being faster in winter than in summer and faster in the northern half of the State than in the southern in any given season. Specifically, higher velocities average 12 mph in winter in the north while lowest speeds are six to eight mph in summer in the south.
This page was updated: February 26, 2026 https://ohiotoerietrail.org/parking