Columbus Ohio goes “zoom-zoom”!

Several years ago, I read in a local newspaper that Columbus Ohio was within an 8-hour drive of, I believe, something like 60%-70% of the U.S. population. I tried to find an update to that figure, but was unable to locate a current number. Anyway, “lots” of major cities are only a day’s drive away.

While many may not think of Columbus as a major transportation hub … being in the center of the state … it actually is in a prime location for transportation of goods.

Freeways:

Two major freeways cross in the downtown area. This area is known as 70/71 split and is unfortunately home to many accidents as people “merge” – sometimes merging into other vehicles. I-70 runs east-west between Pittsburgh to Utah, being a direct route to Indianapolis, St Louis and Kansas City. I-71 runs north-south and connects the “3-C’s” – Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. So within 8 hrs a semi-truck can haul goods to Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, St Louis, Atlanta, New York and DC. As an aside, anyone planning to drive to Disney World in Orlando, be aware that you’re only halfway there when you reach Atlanta! 

Rails:

The major rails run north-south headed toward the Lake Erie ports or the Ohio River on its way to the Mississippi River.

Airports:

There are four airports, but Port Columbus is the major one for both people and some freight. The others are Rickenbacker, Bolton Field and Don Scott. Don Scott is owned by Ohio State University and is use by small private jets and planes, frequently owned by local companies.

Skies:

Judging by the jet trails in the sky when I took this photo, the skies over Columbus are busy as planes from the east coast use our skies to their destination to the west and vice versa.

I remember on 9-11 when the skies were shut down to air traffic, I happened to look out my home’s transom windows and saw the lone plane carrying President Bush back to the Whitehouse after the morning’s tragic events. That was an eerie sight.

Columbus’ transportation benefits is just one of the reasons that make it a good business and employment center. Have diverse major employers that don’t rely on one industry sector is another. As we locals often joke, Columbus is the best little big town to live in. It lives like the big city it is, but it feels like we’re living in a friendly small town. Plus, we’ve got the Buckeyes!