Ohio’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster
Written by a Well-Traveled Survivalist
I’ve spent years charting backroads, crawling through mud-slick forest trails, and navigating disaster-struck towns from the Gulf to the Great Lakes. But nowhere tests your grit like Ohio when nature—or chaos—comes knocking. Between Lake Erie storms, industrial accidents, train derailments, and winter whiteouts, Buckeye roads can turn deadly fast.
Now, I’m not talking about a pothole here and there—though Lord knows Ohio’s got those in spades. I’m talking about roads that become death traps when the grid fails, GPS dies, and panicked drivers clog every escape route like ants fleeing a flood.
If you want to survive when the power’s out, water’s rising, or the sky’s turning green, you need to know where not to drive—and more importantly, how to drive when disaster strikes. Below are the worst roads to avoid in Ohio during a disaster scenario, 15 survival driving skills to get you through hell and back, and 3 DIY driving hacks for when you’re flat out of fuel and time.
Ohio’s Worst Roads During a Disaster
1. Interstate 71 (Cincinnati to Cleveland)
Sounds like a solid escape route, right? Not during a crisis. This highway runs through Columbus, one of Ohio’s most congested urban areas. During an evacuation, it clogs up like a backed sewer. Add a winter storm or mass panic and you’ve got an open-air parking lot stretching for miles.
2. Interstate 75 (Toledo to Cincinnati)
I-75 is infamous for multi-vehicle pileups in fog, rain, and snow. This highway cuts through Dayton—an area prone to tornadoes and flooding. Avoid it if the weather’s turned or the state’s issued a major emergency.
3. U.S. Route 23 (Columbus to Toledo)
Route 23 becomes dangerously slick in icy conditions and is one of the first to close when weather takes a turn. It also runs parallel to active rail lines, making it risky during train derailments or chemical spills.
4. Interstate 480 (Cleveland area)
In an urban disaster, this heavily trafficked highway near Cleveland becomes a choke point. Accidents on overpasses or bridges can trap you fast, especially during snow or ice storms.
5. State Route 2 (Sandusky to Cleveland)
This road hugs Lake Erie, and in a storm surge or polar vortex, it’s as treacherous as they come. Winds whip across the lake, snow drifts swallow cars whole, and visibility drops to near zero.
6. Appalachian Routes (SR-78, SR-56, SR-93)
Ohio’s Appalachian counties are rural, rugged, and stunningly beautiful. But during a disaster? Twisting two-lane mountain roads become slippery, isolated deathtraps with poor cell reception and limited rescue access.
7. Interstate 270 (Columbus Outerbelt)
In a mass-evacuation, this beltway around Columbus is gridlocked in minutes. If you’re not out ahead of the pack, you’re stuck.
15 Survival Driving Skills That Might Save Your Life
- Terrain Scouting
Don’t rely on GPS. Study topographic maps and understand elevation, flood zones, and alternate rural routes. - Night Navigation Without Headlights
Use moonlight and silhouette driving to evade detection in hostile situations or urban unrest. Practice in safe, dark areas. - Engine Quieting
In stealth situations, you may need to run your engine intermittently. Learn how to muffle noise with insulation or by coasting. - Brake Feathering
Master the art of slowing without flashing your brake lights—essential in a stealth convoy or if being followed. - Improvised Traction
Stuck in mud or snow? Use your car’s floor mats, branches, or gravel to regain traction. - Driving in Reverse at Speed
Learn how to maneuver your vehicle in reverse under control. Can save you when a dead-end or ambush blocks the road. - Two-Wheel Off-Road Navigation
If you don’t have four-wheel drive, learn how to modulate throttle and steering to limp through dirt roads or grassy fields. - Reading Smoke and Sky
A change in wind or the color of the sky can tell you where not to go. Drive upwind of smoke and avoid valleys during fires. - Mirror Discipline
Cover or remove mirrors when parked in dangerous zones to prevent glints from giving away your position. - Quick U-Turns
Practice J-turns or handbrake turns in open areas. Knowing how to flip your direction fast can avoid disaster—literally. - Low-Visibility Driving
Fog lights, window treatments, and windshield management are critical. Rain-X or a DIY vinegar mix keeps vision clear. - Crossing Flooded Roads
Don’t do it if water’s over your axle. If you must, drive slow and steady. Keep momentum—don’t stop in the middle. - Mechanical Triage
Know how to bypass a starter relay, fix a belt with a shoelace, or clear a clogged fuel line. - Using Vehicles as Barriers
Need cover? A car can be a bullet barrier. Park diagonally across roads to stop traffic behind you if needed. - Convoy Driving and Signals
Hand signals, CB radios, and tail-light codes matter when driving in groups. Never assume you’ll have cell coverage.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas
1. Alcohol-Based Fuel Substitutes
In a pinch, high-proof alcohol (like Everclear or some rubbing alcohol blends) can power older carbureted engines. Filter it thoroughly and mix with any remaining fuel. Not ideal—but if you’re stuck in the woods, it might get you 5–10 miles.
2. Gravity-Fed Fuel Transfer
No siphon pump? Use gravity. A hose and a bottle placed below the fuel tank level can pull out fuel from an abandoned vehicle. Elevate the donor car if needed.
3. Wood Gasifier Rig (Long-Term Hack)
This is for the die-hards. You can convert a wood-burning campfire into usable vehicle fuel using a homemade gasifier. This involves heating wood chips in a sealed chamber to release flammable gases. It’s bulky, but if you’re bugging out permanently—worth learning.
Final Thoughts from the Road
Disaster doesn’t care if your tank is full or if you’re ten minutes from home. When the sirens blare or the sky turns dark, you’ll either be ready—or stuck. Ohio may not be the Rockies or the deserts of Nevada, but don’t let the Midwest charm fool you. Black ice, whiteouts, and chemical spills are just as deadly as any landslide or wildfire.
Preparation isn’t about paranoia—it’s about options. Know the bad roads, master the survival skills, and always—always—keep your head on a swivel.
Drive smart. Drive hard. Live free.
TheDailyChristian 