Origin
Ironton, OH
Morning in Ironton on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
147.3 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ironton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Kettering, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This 147.3-mile drive from Ironton, OH to Kettering, OH will take you about 2 hours and 58 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily on US 35, US 23, and US 52, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, it's an economical option for exploring within Ohio. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. You'll find it easy to manage, with just one recommended stop along the way.
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
73.6 miles from Ironton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 35 | 67.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 23 | 33.5 mi | 45m |
| US 52 | 19.7 mi | 21m |
| Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway | 16.4 mi | 17m |
| East Stroop Road | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| Indian Ripple Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| North Alpha Bellbrook Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Park Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ironton, OH and Kettering, OH.
Start on Center Street
Turn right onto South 6th Street
Turn left onto SR 93
Enter roundabout onto SR 93
Continue on SR 93
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto US 52
Take the exit onto SR 823
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto T-48
Turn right onto Shakertown Road
Turn left onto North Alpha Bellbrook Road
Turn right onto C-36
Turn left onto East Stroop Road
Arrive at destination
Given the short 2-hour 58-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Kettering by midday. The longest stretch without a significant break is 67.5 miles, so consider a brief stop around that mark for fuel or a stretch. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have a lot of flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into the longer 67.5-mile segment on US 35.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kettering, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ironton, 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 Ironton, OH
This is one driving day of about 147.3 miles and 2h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 73.6 miles from Ironton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.5 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 and 143.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto South 6th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SR 93 / Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto SR 93 / State Route 93
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Chillicothe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn left onto East Stroop Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$22.86 one way
$45.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $25.37 | $50.74 |
| premium | $4.91 | $28.47 | $56.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.52 | $65.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.47 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Ironton on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Kettering on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Rain Showers
51°F
Waverly, OH
74 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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect an 82% highway share on this route, meaning much of your time will be spent on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 67.5 miles on US 35. While largely highway-focused, the mix of US routes suggests you'll experience a blend of efficient travel and potentially some more local road characteristics as you progress. This drive is designed for getting from point A to point B efficiently, with the majority of the journey on well-traveled highways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 35 and US 23. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 6th Street.
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 147.3 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 93 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (SR 93 / State Route 93): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 147.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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