This 173.7-mile drive from Creston to Dayton, Ohio, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway and SR 4, with about 40% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this route offers a straightforward and economical way to travel within the Midwest region. The drive is a mixed bag, suggesting a varied experience on the road, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. It's a practical choice for a quick transit between these two Ohio cities.
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
86.8 miles from Creston, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway
87.6 mi
1h 34m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
SR 4
11.4 mi
14m
East Easton Road
8.1 mi
10m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
North Main Street
2.8 mi
4m
Congress Road
2.2 mi
3m
Cleveland Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway
— 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creston, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on CR 70
87 ft·4 sec·Burbank Street
2
Turn right onto SR 3
1.9 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on SR 3
1.0 mi·1 min·Cleveland Road
4
Turn right onto SR 604
8.1 mi·10 min·East Easton Road
5
Continue on SR 604
0.5 mi·51 sec·East Oak Street
6
Turn right onto SR 539
0.2 mi·16 sec·West Salem Road
7
Continue on SR 539
1.1 mi·2 min·Congress Road
8
Continue on SR 539
1.0 mi·1 min·Congress Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
10
Merge onto I 71
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway
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
Given the manageable 3-hour duration, this route is best tackled in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows ample time for the drive and potential activities at your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.6-mile stretch on the Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway. Plan for your one recommended stop to break up the journey and refuel or stretch your legs. This route's mixed nature means you might encounter varying speed limits, so stay alert to changes.
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 86.8 miles from Creston, OH, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 86.8 miles or 1h 39m 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 Dayton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Creston, 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 Creston, OH
This is one driving day of about 173.7 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Creston, 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 Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway for about 87.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 101.7 and 172.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
101.7 mi into trip|~1h 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
7
102 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 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
161.5 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
172.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$26.96 one way
$53.92 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$29.92
$59.84
premium
$4.91
$33.57
$67.14
diesel
$5.61
$38.35
$76.70
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: 60.8 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
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.20
$6.95
EV Truck/SUV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Creston, OH
Morning
in Creston on Tuesday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Morning
in Dayton on Tuesday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
17 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 18m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 167.7
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 155.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway stretches with other road types. While 40% of the trip is on highways, you'll also experience other roads, offering a change of pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 87.6 miles, primarily on the Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway, so be prepared for a significant segment without major diversions. This suggests a drive that isn't a constant interstate grind but offers varied driving conditions as you make your way from Creston to Dayton.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.6 mi on Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 101.7 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 14 significant decision points across 173.7 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 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.2 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Creston, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 173.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.6 miles on Conneaut-Cincinnati Highway. 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 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.2 miles (SR 4): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
