Ohio’s covered bridges are the state’s best kept-secrets — and they just waiting to be discovered! The Covered Bridges Byway in Ashtabula County, (also known as the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour), is an especially beautiful way to take in some of Ohio’s back road scenery and discover some charming covered bridges along the way. You can drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features a total of 19 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. We’ve mapped out a few of the Buckeye State’s most interesting bridges for a scenic day trip that you won’t soon forget; this adventure is perfect for a leisurely scenic drive or a weekend road trip. So gas up the car, grab some snacks, and get ready to see some of the most charming covered bridges in Ohio!
The Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour features a total of 19 covered bridges, with 16 of them drivable. This trip highlights 10 of them.
Screen shot via Google Maps The total drive time clocks in around an hour and a half. To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.
You’ll start your journey at America’s shortest covered bridge. The West Liberty Covered Bridge is 18 feet long, but it’s 18 feet of pure beauty!
Mark K./Flickr This bridge carries West Liberty Street across Cowles Creek in Geneva. It’s known as West Liberty Covered Bridge, and, at just under 20 years old, this is one of the youngest bridges in the Buckeye State! West Liberty Covered Bridge, 94 W Liberty St, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Harpersfield Covered Bridge, which is located in the Greater Cleveland area, used to be the longest covered bridge in America.
Corey Balazowich/Flickr It was built in 1868 and a steel bridge was added in 1913 after a flood altered the river. Today, it’s the second longest bridge in Ohio. Harpersfield Covered Bridge, 1122 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
One of the many covered bridges in in Ashtabula County, this Jefferson Township beauty features a unique Neo-Victorian design.
George Bannister/Flickr This beautiful bridge crosses Mill Creek and was opened to traffic in 1999. It’s 110 feet long. Netcher Road Covered Bridge, 1544 Netcher Rd, Jefferson, OH 44047, USA
One of the Buckeye State’s most beautiful covered bridges, Caine Road Bridge was built in 1986 in honor of Ashtabula County’s 175th anniversary.
Jason Miklacic/Flickr It’s 124 feet long and crosses the west branch of the Ashtabula River. Caine Road Covered Bridge, 4699 Caine Rd, Jefferson, OH 44047, USA
Built in 1983, State Road Bridge crosses Conneaut Creek. It’s 152 feet long.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr It’s made of pine and oak and was the first covered bridge built by County Engineer John W. Smolen Jr. Kingsville, OH, USA
At the Plymouth and Ashtabula Township line in northern Ashtabula County, you’ll find America’s longest covered bridge.
Mark K./Flickr The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is 613 feet long, stretching State Road across the Ashtabula River. The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is 613 feet long, stretching State Road across the picturesque Ashtabula River. It’s both Ohio and America’s longest covered bridge, and a must-visit for any covered bridge chasers in the Buckeye State! Smolen-Gulf Bridge, State Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
What a beautiful day trip, right? How many covered bridges in Ohio have you visited? Which is your favorite? If you’ve taken this trip to see all of these winsome covered bridges in Ohio, we’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Screen shot via Google Maps
The total drive time clocks in around an hour and a half. To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.
Mark K./Flickr
This bridge carries West Liberty Street across Cowles Creek in Geneva. It’s known as West Liberty Covered Bridge, and, at just under 20 years old, this is one of the youngest bridges in the Buckeye State!
West Liberty Covered Bridge, 94 W Liberty St, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Corey Balazowich/Flickr
It was built in 1868 and a steel bridge was added in 1913 after a flood altered the river. Today, it’s the second longest bridge in Ohio.
Harpersfield Covered Bridge, 1122 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
George Bannister/Flickr
This beautiful bridge crosses Mill Creek and was opened to traffic in 1999. It’s 110 feet long.
Netcher Road Covered Bridge, 1544 Netcher Rd, Jefferson, OH 44047, USA
Jason Miklacic/Flickr
It’s 124 feet long and crosses the west branch of the Ashtabula River.
Caine Road Covered Bridge, 4699 Caine Rd, Jefferson, OH 44047, USA
Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr
It’s made of pine and oak and was the first covered bridge built by County Engineer John W. Smolen Jr.
Kingsville, OH, USA
The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is 613 feet long, stretching State Road across the Ashtabula River. The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is 613 feet long, stretching State Road across the picturesque Ashtabula River. It’s both Ohio and America’s longest covered bridge, and a must-visit for any covered bridge chasers in the Buckeye State!
Smolen-Gulf Bridge, State Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
For more scenic drives in Ohio, check out our previous article: This Scenic 209-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In Ohio.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
covered bridges in Ohio October 24, 2021 Sarah How many covered bridges are there in Ohio? There are more than 100 covered bridges in Ohio, making it a great to admire these historic gems. You’ll find them dotting the landscape from north to south, east to west. But if you want to visit a bunch in a day, the above road trip in Ashtabula County is your best bet! What’s the oldest covered bridge in Ohio? While dates can be a bit hazy with these old structures, here’s what we know: the Newton Falls Covered Bridge is considered to be the second oldest in the state, eclipsed only by one in Eaton built in 1829. The Eaton bridge, the Roberts Covered Bridge, is just barely older than its competitor in Newton Falls. The really interesting thing about the Eaton bridge is that it has been moved from its original location, and though it is still spanning the same creek, it is now in a public park. Read more about these historic structures here! What are some other fun road trips in Ohio? The Buckeye State is full of opportunities for epic road trip adventures. For the best of the best, you’ll want to check out these 10 road trips in Ohio, all of which we consider bucket-list worthy! From wondrous waterfalls to hidden gems, you’ll explore some of the coolest spots in the Buckeye State. Happy travels!
The OIYS Visitor Center
covered bridges in Ohio
October 24, 2021
Sarah
How many covered bridges are there in Ohio? There are more than 100 covered bridges in Ohio, making it a great to admire these historic gems. You’ll find them dotting the landscape from north to south, east to west. But if you want to visit a bunch in a day, the above road trip in Ashtabula County is your best bet! What’s the oldest covered bridge in Ohio? While dates can be a bit hazy with these old structures, here’s what we know: the Newton Falls Covered Bridge is considered to be the second oldest in the state, eclipsed only by one in Eaton built in 1829. The Eaton bridge, the Roberts Covered Bridge, is just barely older than its competitor in Newton Falls. The really interesting thing about the Eaton bridge is that it has been moved from its original location, and though it is still spanning the same creek, it is now in a public park. Read more about these historic structures here! What are some other fun road trips in Ohio? The Buckeye State is full of opportunities for epic road trip adventures. For the best of the best, you’ll want to check out these 10 road trips in Ohio, all of which we consider bucket-list worthy! From wondrous waterfalls to hidden gems, you’ll explore some of the coolest spots in the Buckeye State. Happy travels!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are more than 100 covered bridges in Ohio, making it a great to admire these historic gems. You’ll find them dotting the landscape from north to south, east to west. But if you want to visit a bunch in a day, the above road trip in Ashtabula County is your best bet!
What’s the oldest covered bridge in Ohio?
While dates can be a bit hazy with these old structures, here’s what we know: the Newton Falls Covered Bridge is considered to be the second oldest in the state, eclipsed only by one in Eaton built in 1829. The Eaton bridge, the Roberts Covered Bridge, is just barely older than its competitor in Newton Falls. The really interesting thing about the Eaton bridge is that it has been moved from its original location, and though it is still spanning the same creek, it is now in a public park. Read more about these historic structures here!
What are some other fun road trips in Ohio?
The Buckeye State is full of opportunities for epic road trip adventures. For the best of the best, you’ll want to check out these 10 road trips in Ohio, all of which we consider bucket-list worthy! From wondrous waterfalls to hidden gems, you’ll explore some of the coolest spots in the Buckeye State. Happy travels!
