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Trip from Shadyside, OH to Dayton, OH

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

203.1 mi

327 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 36m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village in Belmont County, Ohio, United States of America

Shadyside, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Dayton, OH, OH

Dayton, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 203-mile journey from Shadyside, Ohio, to Dayton, Ohio, is designed for a single day of travel, estimated to take around 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll navigate using Central Avenue, South Innerbelt, and West Freeway, with a highway share of 0%, indicating a more local driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is about $30. Given the relatively short duration and the nature of the drive, it’s a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel.

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

101.6 miles from Shadyside, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 119.4 mi 2h 10m
West Freeway 57.6 mi 1h 2m
SR 4 11.4 mi 14m
I 470 6.3 mi 7m
Central Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
South Innerbelt 1 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
South Main Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: I 70 — 119.4 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shadyside, OH and Dayton, OH.

1

Start on SR 7 Scenic

29 ft · 5 sec · Central Avenue
2

Continue on SR 7 Scenic

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue
3

Take the ramp onto SR 7 Scenic

4.4 mi · 5 min · Central Avenue
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 39 sec
5

Turn left

519 ft · 14 sec
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
7

Merge onto I 470

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 470
8

Merge onto I 70

119 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Continue on I 70

58 mi · 1 hr 2 min · West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto SR 4

0.3 mi · 42 sec · SR 4
Exit 41 Toward SR 4, SR 235: Dayton, New Carlisle Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 4

11 mi · 14 min · SR 4
Toward SR 4, SR 235 South: Dayton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto SR 48

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 203-mile trip from Shadyside to Dayton is easily manageable in a single day. You can plan to leave in the morning to arrive by lunchtime, or depart in the afternoon for an early evening arrival. Since there are no long highway stretches, consider breaking up the drive with short stops as needed, perhaps after about 1.5 hours of driving. The estimated fuel cost is $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. Pay close attention to local speed limits and traffic patterns, especially as you move through populated areas.

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 101.6 miles from Shadyside, OH, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 45 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 5m

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 Shadyside, 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 Shadyside, OH

This is one driving day of about 203.1 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Shadyside, 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 70 for about 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city on tripoint of Franklin, Licking and Fairfield counties in Ohio, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Reynoldsburg, OH

102 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.

Pacing Suggestions

West Chester, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reynoldsburg, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Shadyside, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 202.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
12.6 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 70

Merge onto I 70

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
132 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | I 70 / South Innerbelt

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / South Innerbelt

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
190.6 mi into trip | ~3h 31m 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
191 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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
7
202.1 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in

Take the exit toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue

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. Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.52 one way

$63.04 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $34.98 $69.97
premium $4.91 $39.25 $78.51
diesel $5.61 $44.84 $89.68

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: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.9 0 $21.33 $9.75
Efficient EV 50.8 0 $17.77 $8.12
EV Truck/SUV 81.2 1 $28.43 $13.00

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 14, 2026

Origin

Shadyside, OH

Late night in Shadyside on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:48PM EDT until April 14 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 5:16PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Destination

Dayton, OH

Late night in Dayton on Tuesday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 15 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:48PM EDT until April 14 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 5:16PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 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

3h 48m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 196.1
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 196.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and cities for the majority of the 203 miles, rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' provided, the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between local roads and city streets. This kind of drive requires your full attention, as you'll be managing traffic signals and local road conditions for the entire 3-hour-plus duration.

96% 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: 119.4 mi on I 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in near I 70.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 10 significant decision points across 203.1 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 12.6 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (I 70 / South Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (SR 4): 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 Shadyside, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.

New Carlisle

190.6 mi in | ~3h 31m | via SR 4

About the Cities

Arriving in Dayton, OH

Full guide →

Founded 1796

Top landmarks

  • • National Museum of the United States Air Force — aerospace museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, United States
  • • Wright Flyer III — third powered aircraft built by the Wright brothers
  • • Dayton Art Institute — art museum and school in Dayton, Ohio

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 203.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m 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 119.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles (I 70 / South Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (SR 4): 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 and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dayton, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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