Kettering to Stow is 208.4 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 71 and I 76, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Ohio, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a fairly straightforward trip, primarily on major interstate highways, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. You'll spend most of your time cruising on well-maintained roads, so it's a comfortable choice for a single-day excursion. Plan for a relatively quick transit time between these two Ohio cities.
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
104.2 miles from Kettering, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
I 76
20.3 mi
24m
I 675
15.4 mi
17m
Akron Expressway
5.5 mi
7m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
West Stroop Road
3.9 mi
7m
Kenmore Expressway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Kettering, OH and Stow, 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 left at fork onto I 670
4.3 mi·5 min·I 670
Toward I 670 East: AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 71
100 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 209A-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 76; US 224
17 mi·20 min·I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.9 mi·2 min·Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
1.2 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 East: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
1.8 mi·2 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto SR 8
5.5 mi·7 min·Akron Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 6Toward SR 59 East: Front Street, StowUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on SR 59
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on SR 59
1.7 mi·3 min·Kent Road
25
Turn left onto SR 91
20 ft·0 sec·Darrow Road
26
Arrive at destination
SR 91
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this is a perfect one-day drive. Leaving Kettering in the morning allows ample time to reach Stow before evening. You'll want to fill up your fuel tank before departing, as the estimated cost is around $39 and the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 100 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the final leg. The high highway percentage means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops, so plan your breaks accordingly.
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 104.2 miles from Kettering, OH, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.2 miles or 1h 59m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stow, 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 208.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 71 for about 99.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.9 and 206 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
176.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron
8
206 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward SR 59 East: Front Street, Stow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward SR 59 East: Front Street, Stow
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.02 one way
$64.05 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$36.12
$72.23
premium
$4.99
$40.92
$81.83
diesel
$4.80
$39.35
$78.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.18
$13.34
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Kettering, OH
Late night
in Kettering on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 6 to 12 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 8:18PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Stow, OH
Late night
in Stow on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Smoke
NW 3 to 14 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 8:18PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
84°F
Ashley, OH
104 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
6 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
4h 1m on the road
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.
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
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 14.4
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 208.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of the 208.4 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 99.5 miles on I 71. Expect a consistent driving experience with frequent exits for services and connections. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only at the very beginning and end of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.5 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 71.9 miles in near I 670.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 208.4 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 71.9 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,326 ft706 ft
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
976 ft
Highest Point
1,326 ft
~134 mi in
Elevation Range
621 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kettering, OH and Stow, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
Stow is in Summit County, Northeast Ohio. It is rather disorganized, but you're probably going to pass through it is you're going from Akron to Cleveland or vice-versa, and you won't get lost if you're just passing through.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 208.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.5 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Stow, 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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.9 miles (I 670): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Stow, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
