Ohio State Game Weekends: Where to Stay in Upper Arlington
Upper Arlington puts you a short drive from Ohio Stadium without the campus-weekend crush — here is how to plan the stay.
What to Skip and What I Would Book
Skip anything marketed as walkable to the stadium unless you genuinely plan to walk thirty to forty minutes each way. Skip the chain hotels clustered around the convention centre downtown if your main purpose is the game — you will pay for proximity to things you will not use. Also skip arriving Friday at rush hour if you can help it; the I-670 and SR-315 interchange is unpleasant between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and a later arrival costs you nothing but a dinner reservation.
What I would book: a mid-range property on or just off Lane Avenue, reserved the week the schedule drops, with parking included and a refundable rate in case the kickoff time moves your plans. Confirm the cancellation window in writing before you commit, since game-weekend policies are stricter than usual. Then build the weekend around one game, one long walk on the Olentangy trail, and one dinner downtown — that is the version of an Ohio State weekend most visitors actually enjoy.
Questions, answered
How far is Upper Arlington from Ohio Stadium?
Roughly three to five miles depending on where you stay, which is a ten- to fifteen-minute drive outside peak times. On game day, allow thirty to forty minutes by car or consider walking from the Lane Avenue area.
When should I book a hotel for a Buckeyes home game?
As soon as the season schedule is published, and certainly several months ahead for late-season dates like the Michigan game. Friday nights before a noon kickoff are the tightest; Saturday-only stays are usually easier to find.
Do I need a car to stay in Upper Arlington?
Yes, practically speaking. The suburb is residential and spread out, with limited bus service and no rail link. A car makes the Lane Avenue shops, downtown Columbus and the stadium all reachable, though you may prefer rideshare on game day itself.
5% back on completed stays · ~1 tonne CO₂ retired per booking