Morgandale, OH to Dayton, OH is 245.1 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 71 and Ohio Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Ohio for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive for this one-day trip. The relatively short duration and direct path make it a practical option for getting 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
122.6 miles from Morgandale, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
110.2 mi
1h 59m
West Freeway
54.2 mi
58m
Ohio Turnpike
35.6 mi
38m
SR 4
11.4 mi
14m
Warren Outer Belt
10.8 mi
13m
I 271
10 mi
11m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
I 77
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-71
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,976 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,680
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Morgandale, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on CR 328
0.7 mi·1 min·Elm Road Northeast
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto SR 5; SR 82
11 mi·13 min·Warren Outer Belt
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
7
Merge onto I 80
22 mi·23 min·Ohio Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
14 mi·14 min·Ohio Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 173Toward I 77: Cleveland, AkronUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward SR 21: Richfield, BrecksvilleUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
347 ft·8 sec
12
Turn straight onto SR 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Brecksville Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 77 South, SR 21 South
14
Merge onto I 77; SR 21
1.8 mi·2 min·I 77; SR 21
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 144Toward I 271 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 271
10 mi·11 min·I 271
17
Merge onto I 71
110 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 70
54 mi·58 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of under 5 hours, leaving Morgandale in the morning should get you to Dayton with plenty of daylight remaining. There's only one recommended stop, so you can decide if you need a break sooner or later. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you're covering 245.1 miles; planning a fuel stop before hitting the longest stretch on I 71 might be wise. Since the drive is not excessively long, you have flexibility in your timing.
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 122.6 miles from Morgandale, OH, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.2 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 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 18m 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 45m
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 Morgandale, 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 Morgandale, OH
This is one driving day of about 245.1 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Morgandale, 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 110.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.2 and 233 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
48.2 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward I 77: Cleveland, 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 173
Toward I 77: Cleveland, Akron
8
49 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 21: Richfield, Brecksville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SR 21: Richfield, Brecksville
8
173.1 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
232.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
233 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
$40.07 one way
$80.15 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.66
$44.96
$89.92
premium
$5.23
$50.48
$100.95
diesel
$6.28
$60.56
$121.12
Estimated Tolls: $1.78
Ohio Turnpike
(35.6 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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.5
0
$25.74
$11.76
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.45
$9.80
EV Truck/SUV
98
1
$34.31
$15.69
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Morgandale, OH
Morning
in Morgandale on Thursday
Local time
7:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
E 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Morning
in Dayton on Thursday
Local time
7:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
E 2 mph0% 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
4h 36m 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...
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 236.7
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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 228.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 93% of your time on major highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 110.2 miles on I 71. The transition to surface streets will likely occur as you approach your destination in Dayton. Expect a high volume of exits and merges, typical for such a significant portion of the drive on interstates.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.2 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 48.2 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 245.1 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 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,293 ft735 ft
Total Climb
913 ft
Total Descent
1,101 ft
Highest Point
1,293 ft
~122.8 mi in
Elevation Range
558 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morgandale, OH and Dayton, OH, road signs point toward Akron, Brecksville and New Carlisle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 245.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.2 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 39 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 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
