Origin
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Morning in Cuyahoga Falls on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to Dayton, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
200.1 mi
322 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 200.1-mile drive from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to Dayton, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. You'll spend about 98% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward, efficient journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route is budget-friendly. The main roads guiding you include I-71, West Freeway, and Kenmore Expressway. This is a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Ohio cities without extensive detours.
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
100 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 98.8 mi | 1h 46m |
| West Freeway | 54.2 mi | 58m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 19.8 mi | 24m |
| SR 4 | 11.4 mi | 14m |
| Akron Expressway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| I 670 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| I 77 | 3 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on 2nd Street
27 ft
·
8 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Broad Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Broad Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward SR 8 South, SR 59 West
4
Merge onto SR 8; SR 59
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Akron Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 1A-B
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 77
Exit 1B
Toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
54 mi
·
58 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto SR 4
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
SR 4
Exit 41
Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4
11 mi
·
14 min
·
SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially on I-71. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without exiting is nearly 100 miles. A practical tip: since this is a highway-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained speeds before you depart Cuyahoga Falls.
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 100 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, or about 1h 55m 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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Cuyahoga Falls, 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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100 miles from Cuyahoga Falls, 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 98.8 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 187.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, Cleveland
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 1A-B
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngs...
9
5.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Clevel...
8
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
187.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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
187.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
$31.05 one way
$62.11 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $34.47 | $68.93 |
| premium | $4.91 | $38.67 | $77.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.18 | $88.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60 | 0 | $21.01 | $9.60 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80 | 1 | $28.01 | $12.81 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Dayton, OH
Morning in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 48m 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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 193.9
View on nps.gov
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 193.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this trip, with 98% of the 200.1 miles on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.8 miles on I-71, so prepare for sustained driving. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic byways, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. The primary roads like I-71, West Freeway, and Kenmore Expressway are designed for steady travel, making it a largely predictable drive from start to finish.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 200.1 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles: 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.
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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
New Carlisle
187.6 mi in
|
~3h 31m
|
via SR 4
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 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, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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