{{Short description|State highway in northwestern Ohio, US}} {{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road |state=OH |type=SR |route=281 |map=OH 281 map.svg |length_mi=50.71 |length_round=2 |length_ref=<ref name="destapeDEF">{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/TechServ/TIM/Documents/DESTAPECnty/DESDEF.pdf |title=Technical Services DESTAPE - Defiance County|author=Ohio Department of Transportation|author-link=Ohio Department of Transportation|access-date=2013-11-27}}</ref><ref name="destapeHEN">{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/TechServ/TIM/Documents/DESTAPECnty/DESHEN.pdf |title=Technical Services DESTAPE - Henry County|author=Ohio Department of Transportation |access-date=2013-11-27}}</ref><ref name="destapeWOO">{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/TechServ/TIM/Documents/DESTAPECnty/DESWOO.pdf |title=Technical Services DESTAPE - Wood County|author=Ohio Department of Transportation |access-date=2013-11-27}}</ref> |established=1930 |direction_a=West |terminus_a={{jct|state=OH|US|24}} near Defiance |junction= |direction_b=East |terminus_b={{jct|state=OH|US|6}} near Bradner |counties=Defiance, Henry, Wood |previous_type=OH 1960 |previous_route=280 |previous_dab=1930s-1960s |next_type=SR |next_route=282 }}
'''State Route 281''' ('''SR 281''') is an east–west state highway in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 24 approximately {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast of downtown Defiance, and its eastern terminus is at US 6 nearly {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} north of Bradner. The majority of the route is known as the Defiance Pike.<ref name=GM>{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=OH-281+E&daddr=41.3033852,-83.4687338+to:US-6+E&hl=en&ll=41.311695,-83.880045&spn=0.887102,1.783905&sll=41.318795,-83.880045&sspn=0.887004,1.783905&geocode=FaRidgIdPlP5-g%3BFVk9dgIdQ14G-ymZ-QGQBvE7iDEimE0UBQxHhQ%3BFYHRdgId-NsG-w&mra=mrv&via=1&t=m&z=10 |accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref>
==Route description== [[File:Defiance east of Superior, Custar.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Central Custar]]
The state route begins at a diamond interchange with the US 24 freeway (exit 28). The interchange is partially within the city limits of Defiance and partially in Richland Township. Defiance County Route 175 heads north from the interchange while SR 281 heads south along Domersville Road often crossing between Defiance and Richland Township.<ref name=DefianceMap>{{cite map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/TechServ/TIM/Documents/CountyMaps_ColorOn/DEF_color.pdf |title=Defiance County, Ohio |publisher=ODOT |date=June 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2014}}</ref> After a traffic signal at a connector road to Defiance County Route 424, the route crosses the Maumee River on a plate girder bridge. A short distance later, SR 281 intersects SR 18 and the two routes form a concurrency and head east out of the city past a General Motors factory. After {{convert|1.6|mi|km}}, the SR 18 concurrency ends and SR 281 continues due east. Outside of the Defiance area, the route's surroundings becomes much more agricultural. After exiting Defiance County, it enters Henry County. SR 281 does not pass through any incorporated villages through Henry County, but it intersects State Routes 108, 109, and 65. After crossing into Wood County, SR 281 enters the small village of Custar. SR 281 continues east intersecting SR 235 and SR 25 but also passes over Interstate 75 without an interchange. After its intersection with SR 199, SR 281 turns to the northeast and enters the village of Wayne. Through Wayne, the route has the road names of Main Street and Church Street. {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|spell=In}} northeast of Wayne, SR 281 then passes through the village of Bradner first on Church Street, then due north on Main Street. SR 281 ends at as stop-controlled intersection with US 6 about {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} north of Bradner.<ref name=GM/> The road continues north as the Freedom Township-maintained Bradner Road.<ref name=WoodMap>{{cite map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/TechServ/TIM/Documents/CountyMaps_ColorOn/WOO_color.pdf |title=Wood County, Ohio |publisher=ODOT |date=June 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2014}}</ref>
==History== SR 281 was first designated on its current alignment in 1930, but only on the {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in|adj=mid|-long}} segment between SR 109 and SR 65 in Henry County.<ref name=ODOT1929_map>{{cite map |title=Map of Ohio Showing State Routes |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1929a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=Ohio Division of Highways |year=1929 |cartography=Robert N. Waid, Director |access-date=September 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ODOT1930_map>{{cite map |title=Map of Ohio Showing State Highway System |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1930a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1930 |cartography=Robert N. Waid, Director |access-date=August 18, 2013}}</ref> In 1934, the route was extended east into Wood County to end at then-US 25 and US 68 in Wood County (modern-day SR 25) and within one year, was extended west to SR 18 near Defiance.<ref name=ODOT1933_map>{{cite map |title=Map of Ohio Showing State Highway System |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1933a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1933 |cartography=O.W. Merrell, Director |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ODOT1934_map>{{cite map |title=Map of Ohio Showing State Highway System |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1934a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1934 |cartography=O.W. Merrell, Director |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> The route was extended further east to its current eastern terminus in 1939 when SR 281 was routed over county roads and SR 297 from Wayne through Bradner to US 6.<ref name=ODOT1938_map>{{cite map |title=Official 1938 Ohio Highway Map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1938a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1938 |cartography=John Jaster, Jr., Director |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ODOT1939_map>{{cite map |title=Ohio Highway Map 1939 |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1939a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1939 |cartography=Robt. S. Beightler, Director |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> The route would remain unchanged for 33 years except for becoming fully asphalt-paved by 1950.<ref name=ODOT1950_map>{{cite map |title=Ohio Highway Map 1950 |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1950a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1950 |cartography=T.J. Kauer, Director |access-date=August 18, 2013}}</ref>
In 1972, SR 281 was extended west on a new bridge over the Maumee River and over existing roads to end at the US 24 bypass of Defiance and Napoleon.<ref name=ODOT1971_map>{{cite map |title=1971 Ohio Highway Map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1971a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1971 |cartography=J. Phillip Richley, Director |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ODOT1972_map>{{cite map |title=1972 Ohio Highway Map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1972a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1972 |cartography=J. Phillip Richley, Director |access-date=September 22, 2013}}</ref> The road between CR 424 (formerly SR 424) and US 24 had been designated as a part of US 24 during the time the Defiance bypass was complete but the Napoleon portion was still under construction.<ref name=ODOT1964_map>{{cite map |title=Ohio Official Highway Map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1964ar.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1964 |cartography=ODOH |access-date=September 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ODOT1967_map>{{cite map |title=1967 Official Highway Map |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Innovation/prod_services/Documents/StateMaps/otm1967a.sid |format=MrSID |publisher=ODOH |year=1967 |cartography=P.E. Masheter, Director |access-date=September 22, 2013}}</ref> The at-grade intersection with US 24 was replaced by a diamond interchange in 2007 as a part of the widening of US 24 through northwestern Ohio.<ref name=US24PR>{{cite press release |url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/news/2007/12-20-2007.pdf |title=Christmas and New Year's Holiday Traffic Update |publisher=ODOT |date=December 20, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2014 |page=1 |quote=The interchange with SR 281 and U.S. 24 is now open.}}</ref>
==Major intersections== {{OHinttop|length_ref=<ref name="destapeDEF"/><ref name="destapeHEN"/><ref name="destapeWOO"/>}} {{OHint |county=Defiance |cspan=3 |location=Defiance |lspan=2 |mile=0.00 |mile2=0.33 |road={{Jct|state=OH|US|24|CR|175|name2=Domersville Road|county2=Defiance}} |notes=Exit 28 (US 24); diamond interchange }} {{OHint |mile=2.25 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|18|name1=East Second Street|city1=Defiance|dir1=west|road|Florence Avenue}} |type=concur |notes=Western end of SR 18 concurrency }} {{OHint |township=Richland |ctdab=Defiance |mile=3.89 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|18|city1=Holgate|dir1=east}} |type=concur |notes=Eastern end of SR 18 concurrency }} {{OHint |county=Henry |cspan=3 |township=Flatrock |ctdab=Henry |mile=12.97 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|108|city1=Napoleon|city2=Holgate}} }} {{OHint |township=Monroe |ctdab=Henry |mile=17.17 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|109|city1=Malinta|city2=Hamler}} }} {{OHint |township=Richfield |ctdab=Henry |mile=22.18 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|65|city1=McClure|city2=Ottawa}} }} {{OHint |county=Wood |cspan=4 |township=Milton |ctdab=Wood |mile=30.24 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|235|name1=Otsego Pike|city1=Weston|city2=Hoytville}} }} {{OHint |township1=Liberty |township2=Portage |ctdab=Wood |mile=37.30 |mile2=37.31 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|25|name1=South Dixie Highway|city1=Bowling Green|city2=Findlay}} }} {{OHint |township=Montgomery |ctdab=Wood |mile=44.68 |road={{Jct|state=OH|SR|199|name1=McCutcheonville Road|city1=Perrysburg|city2=Fostoria}} }} {{OHint |township1=Montgomery |township2=Freedom |ctdab=Wood |mile=50.71 |road={{Jct|state=OH|US|6|name1=Bowling Green Road|road|Bradner Road}} }} {{OHintbtm|keys=concur}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
281 Category:Transportation in Defiance County, Ohio Category:Transportation in Henry County, Ohio Category:Transportation in Wood County, Ohio