Origin
South Canal, OH
Late night in South Canal on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Canal, OH to Dayton, OH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
227 mi
365 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Canal, OH
Shuaizhi Tian
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
South Canal, OH to Dayton, OH is 227 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Ohio. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, so expect a consistent pace. Plan for this to be a practical and efficient travel day.
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
113.5 miles from South Canal, 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 |
| Kenmore Expressway | 19.8 mi | 24m |
| I 76 | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| SR 5 | 14.2 mi | 19m |
| SR 4 | 11.4 mi | 14m |
| I 670 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Canal, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on Niles Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Niles Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Canal Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Canal Street
3
Turn left onto SR 534
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West Broad Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broad Street
5
Continue on Holcomb Newton Falls Road Southwest
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Holcomb Newton Falls Road Southwest
6
Continue on Holcomb Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Holcomb Road
7
Turn right onto Pa St 3
371 ft
·
23 sec
·
Pa St 3
8
Turn left onto SR 5
10 mi
·
14 min
·
SR 5
9
Turn slight left onto SR 5
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 5
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 76 West
11
Merge onto I 76
18 mi
·
20 min
·
I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: Barberton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 71 South: Columbus
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 71
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 109A
Toward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, Dayton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Northeast Freeway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 70
54 mi
·
58 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto SR 48
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 25m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a short overall drive time, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 98.8-mile stretch on I 71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates.
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 113.5 miles from South Canal, 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.5 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 37m
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 South Canal, 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 South Canal, OH
This is one driving day of about 227 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from South Canal, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.5 miles from South Canal, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 214.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
35.2 mi into trip
|
~48m 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
55 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m 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
155 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
214.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
214.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
$35.23 one way
$70.46 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $39.10 | $78.20 |
| premium | $4.91 | $43.87 | $87.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.12 | $100.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.90 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.86 | $9.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.78 | $14.53 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Dayton, OH
Late night in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
114 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
11 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 25m 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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 219.2
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 211.4
View on nps.gov
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 31.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll be on I 71 for a significant portion, including a longest stretch of 98.8 miles without a major change in direction or road type. Expect a consistent driving experience characterized by smooth, high-speed travel. The West Freeway and Kenmore Expressway are also part of the interstate system, ensuring a predominantly high-speed journey with minimal local road navigation.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 35.2 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 227 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 35.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155 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.
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 South Canal, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
New Carlisle
214.5 mi in
|
~4h 8m
|
via SR 4
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 227 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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 35.2 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 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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