Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
47.8 mi
77 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
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
Union City, OH
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Ohio Midwest, the 47.8-mile journey from Dayton to Union City is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable drive for a weekend outing. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, this route is as economical as it is efficient. Navigating primarily via SR 49, Salem Avenue, and Union Street, you will find the transition between these two locations straightforward. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Ohio, you won't need to worry about changing time zones or navigating complex regional differences. It is a practical, no-fuss drive that allows you to reach your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 49 | 22.6 mi | 26m |
| Salem Avenue | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| Union Street | 11.3 mi | 16m |
| West 2nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Broadway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pine Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, OH and Union City, OH.
Start on South Main Street
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
Continue on West 2nd Street
Continue on West 1st Street
Continue on Salem Avenue
Take the exit onto SR 49
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 49
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 121
Continue on SR 49; SR 118; SR 502; SR 571
Enter roundabout onto South Broadway
Continue on South Broadway
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 571
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 571
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 571
Turn right onto South State Line Street
Turn right onto SR 47
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.9 miles from Dayton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 12.2 and 35.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto SR 49 toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
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 SR 49 toward SR 49 North: Phillipsburg, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121 / Pine Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 121 / Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto South Broadway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$7.42 one way
$14.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $8.23 | $16.47 |
| premium | $4.91 | $9.24 | $18.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.55 | $21.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.02 | $2.29 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.18 | $1.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.69 | $3.06 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Union City on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
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.
This drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning away from the urban flow of Dayton into more consistent highway travel. You will spend roughly 47% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 22.6-mile stretch on SR 49, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you move along these roads, the character shifts from the initial local streets like Salem Avenue and Union Street into the more open feel of the state route. Expect a steady, functional pace rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as the route adapts to the changing landscape between the two cities.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.2 miles in near SR 49.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles (SR 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles (SR 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (SR 49; SR 121 / Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
430 ft
Total Descent
62 ft
Highest Point
1,108 ft
~47.8 mi in
Elevation Range
368 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dayton, OH to Union City, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Greenville
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 47.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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