If you are planning to travel from Clarksfield to Dayton, expect a straightforward journey covering 175.3 miles. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes of driving time, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. Since the route is heavily reliant on major corridors like I-71, you can anticipate a fuel cost of around $26 for the trek. Both origin and destination are located within the Midwest, keeping the regional landscape consistent throughout your transit. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. This is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you between these two Ohio cities efficiently.
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
87.7 miles from Clarksfield, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76 mi
1h 22m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
SR 4
11.4 mi
14m
Park Avenue
9.8 mi
13m
SR 60
7.4 mi
10m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
United States Highway 250
3.7 mi
5m
US 250
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksfield, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on Zenobia Road
167 ft·9 sec·Zenobia Road
2
Turn right onto SR 18
0.6 mi·58 sec·SR 18
3
Continue on SR 60
7.4 mi·10 min·SR 60
4
Turn straight onto SR 60
9.8 mi·13 min·Park Avenue
5
Continue on US 250; SR 60
3.7 mi·5 min·United States Highway 250
6
Continue on US 250; SR 60
0.5 mi·34 sec·North Cottage Street
7
Enter roundabout onto US 250
210 ft·2 sec·US 250
8
Continue on US 250
2.2 mi·2 min·US 250
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 42; US 250
1.0 mi·1 min·US 42; US 250
10
Turn left onto US 250
1.5 mi·2 min·East Main Street
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 71
76 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip takes less than three and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the 175.3-mile distance and keep you alert. Because the vast majority of your time will be spent on highways, monitor your fuel levels before merging onto I-71 to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the West Freeway can fluctuate, so checking for real-time updates before you leave is a smart move. With only 8% of the route off the main highways, your primary focus should be maintaining a steady pace on the interstate segments.
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 87.7 miles from Clarksfield, OH, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m
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 Clarksfield, 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 Clarksfield, OH
This is one driving day of about 175.3 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Clarksfield, 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 76 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.3 and 174.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
103.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
7
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
8
162.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
7
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue
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.
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.21 one way
$54.41 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$30.19
$60.39
premium
$4.91
$33.88
$67.76
diesel
$5.61
$38.70
$77.41
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: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.41
$8.41
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.34
$7.01
EV Truck/SUV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Clarksfield, OH
Late night
in Clarksfield on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Late night
in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Berkshire, OH
88 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
5 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
3h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip takes place on high-speed roads. Your journey relies heavily on I-71, the West Freeway, and SR 4 to bridge the distance. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch of driving on I-71, which spans 76 miles of the total distance. While the drive is efficient, the character is defined by steady interstate travel rather than winding backroads. Be prepared for a consistent pace behind the wheel as you navigate these major arteries across the state.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 103.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 175.3 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 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.8 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,237 ft740 ft
Total Climb
818 ft
Total Descent
943 ft
Highest Point
1,237 ft
~37.6 mi in
Elevation Range
498 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 Clarksfield, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
New Carlisle
162.8 mi in|~3h 6m|via SR 4
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 175.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.8 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
