If you are planning a trip from Dayton to Clarksfield, expect a straightforward journey covering 176.1 miles through the heart of the Midwest. With a driving time of approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate spending about $26 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. The drive relies heavily on I-71, I-70, and SR 4 to move you efficiently between these two Ohio locations. Because the trip is entirely contained within the Midwest, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travels. It is an ideal choice if you prioritize a direct, no-nonsense path that gets you to your destination without unnecessary complications.
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
88 miles from Dayton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.8 mi
1h 23m
I 70
49.2 mi
53m
SR 4
16.2 mi
20m
Main Street
9.8 mi
13m
South Main Street
8.2 mi
12m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
US 250
4 mi
5m
United States Highway 250
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.8 mi, about 1h 23m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,136 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~435 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Dayton, OH and Clarksfield, OH.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
2
Take the ramp
141 ft·3 sec
Toward I 75 North, SR 4 North: Toledo, Springfield
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward SR 4 North: SpringfieldUse the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto SR 4
10 mi·13 min·SR 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto SR 4
5.8 mi·7 min·SR 4
Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
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: AirportUse 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, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
77 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 186Toward US 250: Ashland, WoosterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 250
0.4 mi·34 sec·US 250
14
Continue on US 250
1.4 mi·2 min·US 250
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 42; US 250
1.0 mi·1 min·US 42; US 250
16
Turn left onto US 250
2.2 mi·2 min·US 250
17
Enter roundabout onto US 250; SR 60
68 ft·0 sec·North Cottage Street
18
Continue on US 250; SR 60
0.5 mi·34 sec·North Cottage Street
19
Continue on US 250; SR 60
3.7 mi·5 min·United States Highway 250
20
Continue on US 250; SR 60
9.8 mi·13 min·Main Street
21
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 60
7.4 mi·10 min·South Main Street
22
Continue on SR 18; SR 60
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 18; SR 60
23
Turn left onto Zenobia Road
167 ft·7 sec·Zenobia Road
24
Arrive at destination
Zenobia Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion. You should plan for one scheduled stop to break up the 3-hour and 25-minute duration, which will keep you refreshed for the final leg of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $26 estimate assumes efficient driving conditions on the highways. Because the route is dominated by interstates like I-71 and I-70, ensure your vehicle is prepared for sustained high-speed travel. A pro tip for this specific route is to coordinate your single stop around the transition from the interstate system to SR 4, allowing you to stretch your legs before navigating the final local road 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 88 miles from Dayton, OH, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.8 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 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 Clarksfield, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dayton, 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 Dayton, OH
This is one driving day of about 176.1 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Dayton, 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 76.8 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 0.8 and 148.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 4 North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward SR 4 North: Springfield
7
11.5 mi into trip|~15m in|SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4 toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
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 US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
7
66.5 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
70.8 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
8
148.5 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 250: Ashland, Wooster
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 186
Toward US 250: Ashland, Wooster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.48 one way
$60.96 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$33.60
$67.20
premium
$5.43
$37.62
$75.24
diesel
$5.35
$37.09
$74.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.41
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.65
$11.27
Gas CO2
62 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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Dayton, OH
Afternoon
in Dayton on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 1 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 27 at 2:20AM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 9:44PM EDT until May 27 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Clarksfield, OH
Afternoon
in Clarksfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 2 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 27 at 2:20AM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 9:44PM EDT until May 27 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
84°F
Ashley, 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
4 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 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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 18.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is built for efficiency, with 89% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 76.8 miles on I-71. While the interstate portions provide a fast, consistent pace, the transition onto SR 4 offers a slight change in environment as you move toward Clarksfield. Expect a professional, utilitarian experience behind the wheel rather than a winding, scenic tour. The route remains predictable, allowing you to maintain steady speeds for the majority of the 176.1-mile journey. It is a practical drive designed for those who value speed and reliability over technical, winding backroads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.8 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 0.8 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 17 significant decision points across 176.1 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,176 ft740 ft
Total Climb
629 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
1,176 ft
~113.2 mi in
Elevation Range
437 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dayton, OH and Clarksfield, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Wooster.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 176.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.8 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 Clarksfield, 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.5 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 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 Clarksfield, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
