Origin
Beavercreek, OH
Morning in Beavercreek on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beavercreek, OH to Sterling, OH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
173.4 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beavercreek, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Sterling, OH
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This 173.4-mile drive from Beavercreek, OH to Sterling, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take about 3 hours and 22 minutes, making it a convenient option for a day trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, with an estimated fuel cost of around $27. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar travel experience. With just one recommended stop, this trip is designed for efficiency and getting you to your destination without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.7 miles from Beavercreek, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 88.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 70 | 51.1 mi | 55m |
| West Easton Road | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| I 675 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| North Fairfield Road | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| I 670 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Congress Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Seville Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beavercreek, OH and Sterling, OH.
1
Start on North Fairfield Road
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
North Fairfield Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 675 North: Columbus
3
Merge onto I 675
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 675
4
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26A
Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
5
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70; SR 4
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
88 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 198
Toward SR 539: West Salem, Congress
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto SR 539
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Congress Road
14
Continue on SR 539
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Congress Road
15
Continue on SR 539
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Salem Road
16
Turn left onto SR 539; SR 604
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Oak Street
17
Continue on SR 604
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West Easton Road
18
Turn left onto CR 60
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Seville Road
19
Continue on CR 60
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Kauffman Avenue
20
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
106 ft
·
4 sec
·
Chestnut Street
21
Arrive at destination
Chestnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to maximize your day upon arrival in Sterling, OH. The route has an estimated fuel cost of $27, so ensure your tank is full before departing Beavercreek, OH, as you'll have an 88.1-mile stretch on I-71 without a major break. While only one stop is recommended, plan for potential rest breaks as needed, especially during the longer highway segments. This is a short enough drive that you have flexibility, but being mindful of your fuel level is key.
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 86.7 miles from Beavercreek, OH, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beavercreek, 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 Beavercreek, OH
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Beavercreek, 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 88.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Beavercreek, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 158 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 26A
Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
7
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 670
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670 toward I 670 East: Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 670 East: Airport
8
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
North Innerbelt
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
7
69.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
8
158 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward SR 539: West Salem, Congress
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 198
Toward SR 539: West Salem, Congress
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.91 one way
$53.82 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $29.87 | $59.73 |
| premium | $4.91 | $33.51 | $67.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Sterling, OH
Morning in Sterling on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Berkshire, OH
87 mi in
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll primarily be on I-71 and I-70, interspersed with a section on West Easton Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.1 miles, which occurs on I-71. This means you can expect long periods of consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions, characteristic of a dedicated interstate experience. The road remains largely highway-style throughout, prioritizing direct travel over scenic detours.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.1 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 173.4 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 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beavercreek, OH and Sterling, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Congress.
Cleveland
68.9 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via North Innerbelt
Congress
158 mi in
|
~2h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Beavercreek, OH
Full guide →Beavercreek is the biggest city in Greene County Ohio, and a large suburb of Dayton. It is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.1 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Sterling, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Sterling, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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