Spanning 280 miles across the Ohio heartland, this trek from Andover to Dayton is a straightforward journey typically taking about 5 hours and 18 minutes. Because the route is composed of 96% highway driving, it is highly efficient and easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwestern points. While the drive is long enough to warrant a planned rest break, it avoids the need for an overnight stay. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. It is a practical choice for travelers who prefer a steady pace and want to maximize time at their final destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
140 miles from Andover, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
I 76
39.2 mi
44m
State Route 11
31.9 mi
34m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
SR 4
11.4 mi
14m
West Main Street
7.4 mi
11m
I 80
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andover, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on this road
162 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 6
7.4 mi·11 min·West Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward SR 11 South
4
Merge onto SR 11
32 mi·34 min·State Route 11
5
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 11
4.3 mi·4 min·SR 11
Exit 46BToward I 80 West, SR 11: Girard, Cleveland
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.0 mi·5 min·I 80
7
Continue on I 76
39 mi·44 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto SR 4
0.3 mi·42 sec·SR 4
Exit 41Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4
11 mi·14 min·SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high during the 5-hour and 18-minute drive, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the major interstates. While the route is simple enough to complete in one go, scheduling at least one stop is a smart way to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; even though you should budget $42 for the trip, having a little extra set aside for fluctuating gas prices is wise. Since this is an interstate-heavy route, flexibility is your greatest advantage, allowing you to easily adjust your pace based on traffic flow. Make sure to utilize that single recommended stop to stretch your legs before tackling the final miles of your journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140 miles from Andover, OH, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 62 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andover, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Andover, OH
This is one driving day of about 280 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Andover, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.7 and 267.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
39.7 mi into trip|~46m in|SR 11
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 11 toward I 80 West, SR 11: Girard, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46B
Toward I 80 West, SR 11: Girard, Cleveland
7
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
8
208 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
8
267.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41
Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
8
267.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.46 one way
$96.92 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$53.42
$106.84
premium
$5.43
$59.81
$119.63
diesel
$5.35
$58.98
$117.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84
1
$29.40
$13.44
Efficient EV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
EV Truck/SUV
112
1
$39.20
$17.92
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Andover, OH
Afternoon
in Andover on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Afternoon
in Dayton on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through p...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 270.4
Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of th...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 270.4
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 86.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience, as your route relies heavily on I-71, I-76, and the West Freeway. The personality of this drive is defined by its efficiency, with an overwhelming 96% of the trip spent on high-speed roadways. You will settle into a rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 98.8 miles along I-71. As you navigate these major arteries, the drive feels consistent and functional, keeping you moving steadily through the Ohio landscape. This is a classic interstate grind designed for commuters and travelers who value predictability behind the wheel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.7 miles in near SR 11.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 39.7 miles (SR 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft740 ft
Total Climb
739 ft
Total Descent
1,091 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
~160 mi in
Elevation Range
578 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Andover, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
Absolutely doable as a same-day drive at 5 hours and 18 minutes, just factor in one planned break to make the 280 miles feel less like a marathon.
Family Friendly
This route's 10/10 complexity means you'll be navigating a lot, so definitely plan entertainment for the kids during the 5+ hours of driving.
Solo Traveler
This 280-mile drive is a comfortable distance for a solo traveler, but with a 10/10 complexity, you'll want to stay focused on the road rather than looking for engaging scenery.
First-Time Driver
With 96% highway driving and a 10/10 complexity, this 280-mile route could be challenging for a first-time driver; consider practicing your highway skills first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 43 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dayton, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 43 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.7 miles (SR 11): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dayton, OH before the return drive.
