Ohio State Route 218 runs south of Gallipolis, just inland of Ohio Route 7 and the Ohio River, into southern Gallia County and eastern Lawrence County. The northern end, splitting with the riverside highway of Ohio Route 7, is a few miles south of Gallipolis. From there, Ohio Route 218 inches south-southwesterly into the hills. It meets the eastern end of Ohio Route 790, then it meets Ohio Route 553, the spur southeast to Crown City. Then, it ends at Ohio Route 217 east of Scottown.