Waterloo Restaurant & Catering
Near the start, right off the route
Akron, Ohio
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13307735158
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
205.4 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Randolph, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Beavercreek, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This 208.3-mile drive from Randolph, OH, to Beavercreek, OH, will take you approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward, one-day trip, so you can easily fit it into your schedule. You'll primarily be on State Route 44 and I-71 South, with a brief stint on I-670 East. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $31, making it an economical option. This route offers a practical, local feel as you traverse within the Midwest region of Ohio. With only one recommended stop, you can manage your time efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.7 miles from Randolph, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 98.8 mi | 1h 46m |
| West Freeway | 50.6 mi | 54m |
| US 224 | 17.5 mi | 24m |
| I 76 | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| I 675 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| North Fairfield Road | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| I 670 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Northeast Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
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
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Randolph, OH and Beavercreek, OH.
Start on CH 87
Turn right onto SR 44
Turn right onto US 224
Merge onto I 76; US 224
Take the exit
Merge onto I 71
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 670
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on I 675
Take the exit
Turn left onto North Fairfield Road
Arrive at destination
Given that this is a manageable 208.3-mile journey taking just over 3 hours, it's an ideal one-day trip. You can leave anytime that suits your schedule, but an early start might help you avoid any local traffic, especially as you transition onto I-71 South. Plan for one brief stop to stretch your legs or refuel, but you likely won't need extensive breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive,' pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, particularly when navigating State Route 44 and any transitions onto I-670 East.
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.
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 45 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beavercreek, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Randolph, 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 Randolph, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 3h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Randolph, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
Akron, Ohio
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13307735158
House of Thai Restaurant
Beavercreek, Ohio
Lavash Cafe
Columbus, Ohio
Near the start, right off the route
Akron, Ohio
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13307735158
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Beavercreek, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+19374292236
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16142637777
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Akron, Ohio
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+13305369255
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Springfield, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19373234646
Around the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+16149283252
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16142610900
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Hilliard, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16148766888
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+16146622212
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Beavercreek, Ohio
Hours: 1–9 pm
+19379129741
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+16144077721
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.1 and 191.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 71 South: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 675 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$31.56 one way
$63.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $35.60 | $71.19 |
| premium | $4.99 | $40.33 | $80.66 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
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: 71.9 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 | 61.6 | 0 | $21.57 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.97 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.76 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Randolph on Monday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Smoke
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Late night in Beavercreek on Monday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Monument
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for this 208.3-mile trip, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through more local roads and potentially dealing with more intersections and traffic signals rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate. The character of the drive will likely involve frequent adjustments in direction, keeping you engaged with the changing scenery. While there isn't a specified longest stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests that these segments will be relatively short and frequent, requiring your attention throughout the 3 hours and 13 minutes of driving time.
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 35.1 miles in.
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 205.4 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
546 ft
Total Descent
822 ft
Highest Point
1,287 ft
~88 mi in
Elevation Range
434 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Randolph, OH and Beavercreek, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Cincinnati.
Dayton
Cincinnati
Founded 1980
Beavercreek is the biggest city in Greene County Ohio, and a large suburb of Dayton. It is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 205.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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