This 233.7-mile journey from Lordstown, OH to Dayton, OH is a straightforward, single-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $35, it's an economical option for crossing Ohio. The route primarily utilizes local roads, meaning you'll experience a more connected drive through the Midwest landscape. Given its manageable length and the presence of just one recommended stop, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll be traveling entirely within the Midwest region, making for a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.
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
116.9 miles from Lordstown, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
I 76
36.2 mi
40m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
SR 4
11.4 mi
14m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
Tod Avenue Southwest
2.2 mi
3m
Gladstone Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lordstown, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on SR 45
2.2 mi·3 min·Tod Avenue Southwest
2
Continue on SR 45
0.4 mi·44 sec·North Salem Warren Road
3
Turn right onto CR 190
1.6 mi·3 min·Gladstone Road
4
Turn left onto CR 65; I 80 Alt
1.3 mi·2 min·North Bailey Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 76 West: Akron
6
Merge onto I 76
36 mi·40 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto SR 4
0.3 mi·42 sec·SR 4
Exit 41Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4
11 mi·14 min·SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3 hour and 42 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lordstown to take advantage of lighter traffic. With only one stop recommended, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to pause for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimated cost is based on continuous travel; local roads can sometimes lead to slightly less efficient fuel consumption. A good tip for this turn-heavy route is to pre-program your GPS with all waypoints, as relying solely on intermittent road signs can be challenging when frequently changing direction.
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 116.9 miles from Lordstown, OH, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.9 miles or 2h 17m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lordstown, 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 Lordstown, OH
This is one driving day of about 233.9 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Lordstown, 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 98.8 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 42.1 and 221.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
42.1 mi into trip|~52m in|I 76 / Kenmore Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Kenmore Expressway toward I 76 West: Barberton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
7
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
8
161.9 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
8
221.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|SR 4
Take the exit onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41
Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle
8
221.7 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4 toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.30 one way
$72.60 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$40.29
$80.58
premium
$4.91
$45.21
$90.41
diesel
$5.61
$51.64
$103.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
Efficient EV
58.5
0
$20.47
$9.36
EV Truck/SUV
93.6
1
$32.75
$14.97
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Lordstown, OH
Morning
in Lordstown on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Morning
in Dayton on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 16 mph27% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Mansfield, OH
117 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
16 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
4h 29m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 225.8
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 217.7
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 40.3
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 on this route, with no highway segments contributing to the 233.7 miles. This means you'll be navigating through towns and rural areas for the entire duration, with roads like North Salem Warren Road, Gladstone Road, and North Bailey Road guiding your way. The absence of high-speed highway driving means you'll have ample opportunity to observe the passing scenery at a more leisurely pace. While there isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch of highway to note, the consistent local road character ensures a predictable driving experience, albeit one that requires frequent attention to turns and speed limits.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.1 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
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 15 significant decision points across 233.9 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 42.1 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lordstown, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 233.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Dayton, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.1 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.9 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
