This 92.7-mile drive from Pickerington, OH to Kettering, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways like West Freeway and I-675, it's perfectly suited as a day trip with no need for an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical option for a quick regional hop within the Midwest. The profile suggests a predominantly highway experience, so expect efficient travel. This route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Pickerington, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Freeway
54.1 mi
59m
I 675
15.5 mi
17m
I 70
12 mi
14m
Hill Road North
4 mi
6m
East Stroop Road
3.8 mi
7m
South Innerbelt
1 mi
1m
Indian Ripple Road
0.4 mi
<1m
East Columbus Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
West Freeway
— 54.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pickerington, OH and Kettering, OH.
1
Start on North Center Street
65 ft·5 sec·North Center Street
2
Turn right onto SR 256
0.3 mi·55 sec·East Columbus Street
3
Turn right onto SR 256
4.0 mi·6 min·Hill Road North
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 70 West: Columbus
5
Merge onto I 70
12 mi·14 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
1.0 mi·1 min·South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 70
54 mi·59 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 44Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 44AToward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the right lane.
11
Continue on I 675
16 mi·17 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 10Toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
0.4 mi·48 sec·Indian Ripple Road
14
Turn left onto East Stroop Road
3.8 mi·7 min·East Stroop Road
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Stroop Road
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under two hours, flexibility is key for this trip. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Kettering with plenty of daylight left. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 54.1 miles on West Freeway, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before you begin this segment. The $14 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you transition between I-675 and I-70. Given the highway-focused nature, consider leaving during off-peak hours to minimize traffic delays.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.3 miles from Pickerington, OH, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kettering, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pickerington, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pickerington, OH
This is one driving day of about 92.7 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Pickerington, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on West Freeway for about 54.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 88 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 256 / Hill Road North
Turn right onto SR 256 / Hill Road North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, Cincinnati
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 44
Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, Cincinnati
7
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
8
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 44A
Toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
8
88 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple Road
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 10
Toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.39 one way
$28.77 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$15.97
$31.93
premium
$4.91
$17.92
$35.83
diesel
$5.61
$20.47
$40.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.11
$3.71
EV Truck/SUV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Pickerington, OH
Morning
in Pickerington on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kettering, OH
Morning
in Kettering on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
London, OH
46 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
21 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
1h 52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 79.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this trip, with 88% of the drive taking place on major interstates and freeways. You'll spend a significant portion of the 1 hour and 52-minute journey on West Freeway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.1 miles. The route is designed for efficient travel, meaning you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous detours off the main path. The focus is clearly on covering distance quickly rather than exploring varied landscapes.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.1 mi on West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Freeway and I 675. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near SR 256 / Hill Road North.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (SR 256 / Hill Road North): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,183 ft757 ft
Total Climb
593 ft
Total Descent
429 ft
Highest Point
1,183 ft
~46.3 mi in
Elevation Range
426 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 Pickerington, OH to Kettering, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Cincinnati along the way.
Cincinnati
71.6 mi in|~1h 23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 92.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.1 miles on West Freeway. 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 Kettering, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (SR 256 / Hill Road North): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.9 miles: 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 Kettering, OH before heading back.
