This 131.5-mile journey from Kettering, OH, to New Lexington, OH, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 39 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical option for a single-day trip, allowing you to make the most of your time without needing an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes I-675 and I-70, making for an efficient transit through the Midwest. This drive offers a practical way to connect two points in Ohio, emphasizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
65.7 miles from Kettering, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
East Freeway
31.6 mi
35m
I 675
15.4 mi
17m
Jacksontown Road
11.4 mi
17m
South Columbus Street
8 mi
11m
West Stroop Road
3.9 mi
7m
West Freeway
3.2 mi
4m
Somerset-Thornville Road
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 51.1 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kettering, OH and New Lexington, OH.
1
Start on West Stroop Road
3.9 mi·7 min·West Stroop Road
2
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
0.5 mi·43 sec·Indian Ripple Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Merge onto I 675
6.4 mi·7 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 675
9.0 mi·10 min·I 675
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 26AToward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
7
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
1.9 mi·1 min·I 70; SR 4
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
49 mi·53 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
3.2 mi·4 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi·2 min·South Innerbelt
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·31 sec·South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 70
32 mi·35 min·East Freeway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 132Toward SR 13: Newark, Thornville
14
Turn right onto SR 13
11 mi·17 min·Jacksontown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on SR 13
2.2 mi·3 min·Somerset-Thornville Road
16
Continue on SR 13
8.0 mi·11 min·South Columbus Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto SR 13; SR 37
0.4 mi·39 sec·West Broadway Street
18
Turn right onto SR 13; SR 37
322 ft·5 sec·Main Street
19
Continue on SR 13; SR 37
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Main Street
20
Turn right onto West Brown Street
177 ft·7 sec·West Brown Street
21
Turn right
105 ft·7 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 39 minutes, you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider an early morning start to avoid potential midday traffic, especially on the interstate sections. With only one recommended stop, plan for a brief break around the halfway point or when you feel the need. The estimated fuel cost of $20 is quite manageable, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before heading out, particularly before embarking on the 51.1-mile stretch on I-70. This drive is well-suited for a single day, so you can focus on enjoying your destination upon arrival.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.7 miles from Kettering, OH, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.1 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Lexington, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kettering, 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 Kettering, OH
This is one driving day of about 131.5 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Kettering, 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 70 for about 51.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 76.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|Indian Ripple Road
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
20.1 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 26A
Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
6
22.7 mi into trip|~29m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 70 / West Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 70 / South Innerbelt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / South Innerbelt
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.41 one way
$40.82 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$22.65
$45.30
premium
$4.91
$25.41
$50.83
diesel
$5.61
$29.03
$58.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.81
$6.31
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.51
$5.26
EV Truck/SUV
52.6
0
$18.41
$8.42
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Kettering, OH
Morning
in Kettering on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny
W 16 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Lexington, OH
Morning
in New Lexington on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph57% chanceLive 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 39m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 13.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 77% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-70 and I-675. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 51.1 miles on I-70, offering a period of consistent speed and minimal traffic. The East Freeway also plays a role in this drive, contributing to the overall feel of efficient travel. This isn't a winding country road adventure; it's about covering distance effectively on well-maintained highways.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and East Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near Indian Ripple Road.
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 15 significant decision points across 131.5 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 3.9 miles (Indian Ripple Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,146 ft710 ft
Total Climb
825 ft
Total Descent
875 ft
Highest Point
1,146 ft
~47 mi in
Elevation Range
436 ft
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 Kettering, OH to New Lexington, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Thornville along the way.
Thornville
108.6 mi in|~2h 4m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 131.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 New Lexington, 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 3.9 miles (Indian Ripple Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles (I 70): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Lexington, OH before heading back.
