Spanning 246.2 miles across Ohio, this drive from Kettering to Warren is a straightforward journey through the Midwest that takes approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes. Because the total duration is under five hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $37 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend excursion. You will navigate a mix of local roads like Indian Ripple Road before transitioning onto I-70 East and I-670 East. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting family, the route is manageable for most drivers looking for a direct path 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
123.1 miles from Kettering, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.9 mi
2h
I 70
51.1 mi
55m
Ohio Turnpike
35.5 mi
38m
I 675
15.4 mi
17m
I 271
9.9 mi
10m
I 670
4.3 mi
5m
SR 5
3.9 mi
5m
West Stroop Road
3.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.9 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,959 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Warren, 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
111 mi·2 hr·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 271
9.9 mi·10 min·I 271
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward I 77 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 77; SR 21
1.5 mi·1 min·I 77; SR 21
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 145Toward SR 21: Brecksville RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto SR 21
0.6 mi·1 min·Brecksville Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 80: Ohio Turnpike
20
Continue on this road
397 ft·9 sec·this road
21
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 80 East: YoungstownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 80
36 mi·38 min·Ohio Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 209Toward SR 5Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
26
Turn straight
0.2 mi·25 sec
27
Continue on SR 5
3.9 mi·5 min·SR 5
28
Take the exit
497 ft·12 sec
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
30
Turn straight onto West Market Street
3.2 mi·6 min·West Market Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·West Market Street
32
Turn left onto Mahoning Avenue Northwest
344 ft·11 sec·Mahoning Avenue Northwest
33
Turn right onto High Street Northwest
0.1 mi·19 sec·High Street Northwest
34
Arrive at destination
High Street Northwest
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since this is a manageable one-day trip, but aiming to leave during off-peak hours will help you navigate the local segments more comfortably. You should budget for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more taxing than a standard highway cruise. Keep your $37 fuel budget in mind when filling up before you leave Kettering to ensure you have enough to reach Warren without stress. Because this route relies heavily on local roads, double-check your GPS settings before you depart to ensure you stay on the intended path. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level.
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 123.1 miles from Kettering, OH, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.9 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.1 miles or 2h 19m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warren, 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 246.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 110.9 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.9 and 201.9 — 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
7
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 71 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland
7
198 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward I 77 North: Cleveland
8
201.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Youngstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Youngstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.61 one way
$85.22 round trip
$4.40/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$46.97
$93.94
premium
$5.43
$52.59
$105.19
diesel
$5.35
$51.86
$103.71
Estimated Tolls: $1.78
Ohio Turnpike
(35.5 mi)$1.78
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.54
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of May 20, 2026
Origin
Kettering, OH
Evening
in Kettering on Wednesday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 6 to 13 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Warren, OH
Evening
in Warren on Wednesday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 9 mph43% 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
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 41m 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.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 203.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize major arteries like I-70 East and I-670 East, the route is defined by its navigation through local corridors such as Indian Ripple Road. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel that requires constant attention to changing roads. The transition from local streets to highway stretches keeps the drive engaging, so do not expect to set the cruise control for hours on end. Staying alert is key as you navigate this specific sequence of roads across the state.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.9 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 26 significant decision points across 246.2 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 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,292 ft818 ft
Total Climb
860 ft
Total Descent
977 ft
Highest Point
1,292 ft
~123.1 mi in
Elevation Range
474 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 Warren, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cleveland along the way.
Warren is a smaller-sized city along the banks of the Mahoning River in Northeast Ohio. It is surrounded by other small towns, which some deem as suburbs (Howland, Niles, Champion, Cortland, Lordstown, Southington). The major employers here are General Motors and Packard Electric. Sports are a major past-time in the city. The local high school, Warren G. Harding, named after the U.S. president who was born there, is known for its great athletes. During baseball season one can catch a Scrappers minor-league baseball game.
Top landmarks
•Harriet Taylor Upton House — historic house in Warren, Ohio, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 246.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.78 in tolls one way, starting with Ohio Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Warren, 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 35 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 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Warren, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
