Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
239.5 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Girard, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Embarking on a journey from Dayton, OH to Girard, OH covers 239.5 miles and typically takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused experience, with 98% of the travel occurring on interstates like I-71, I-76, and I-70. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited as a single-day excursion. Budget approximately $37 for fuel, and plan for one primary stop along the way. The drive primarily stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.8 miles from Dayton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 99.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 76 | 57.6 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 70 | 49.2 mi | 53m |
| SR 4 | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 80 | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| I 670 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Kenmore Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, OH and Girard, OH.
Start on South Main Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 76; US 224
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 422
Turn left onto West Liberty Street Southeast
Arrive at destination
With a total driving time of 4 hours and 30 minutes, this trip from Dayton to Girard is easily achievable in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. You'll want to plan for one main stop to stretch your legs or grab a bite, especially given the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 100 miles on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer interstate segments, and your estimated fuel cost is around $37.
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.
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 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Girard, OH than in the middle of the route.
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 239.5 miles and 4h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Dayton, 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 99.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 171.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 4 North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.17 one way
$74.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $41.25 | $82.50 |
| premium | $4.91 | $46.29 | $92.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.88 | $105.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.15 | $11.50 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.96 | $9.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.53 | $15.33 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Girard on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
68°F
Mansfield, OH
120 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This is a highway-centric drive, with nearly the entirety of the 239.5 miles on interstates. Expect a profile dominated by fast-paced travel, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 99.5 miles on I-71. While the route is predominantly interstate, it provides a predictable and generally smooth driving experience from start to finish, making it ideal for those prioritizing direct travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 239.5 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 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dayton, OH and Girard, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Cleveland
Akron
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 239.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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