Origin
South Russell, OH
Morning in South Russell on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Russell, 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 10m
Distance
217 mi
349 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Russell, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 217-mile drive from South Russell, Ohio, to Dayton, Ohio, is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $34, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, so expect consistent travel speeds. This drive is perfect for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so you'll experience consistent Midwestern landscapes throughout.
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
108.5 miles from South Russell, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 110.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| West Freeway | 54.2 mi | 58m |
| I 271 | 24.3 mi | 26m |
| SR 4 | 11.4 mi | 14m |
| I 670 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Cannon Road | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| Solon Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Outerbelt East Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 110.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Russell, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on Bell Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bell Road
2
Continue on Bell Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bell Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 35
109 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Turn slight right onto North Franklin Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Franklin Street
5
Turn right onto CR 11
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Maple Street
6
Continue on CR 11
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Solon Road
7
Turn right onto Cannon Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cannon Road
8
Continue on SR 175
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cannon Road
9
Continue on Rockside Road
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Rockside Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 480
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Outerbelt South Freeway
12
Merge onto I 271; I 480
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Outerbelt East Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 271
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 71
110 mi
·
1 hr 59 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 4-hour, 10-minute duration, departing South Russell in the morning will allow you to arrive in Dayton with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The longest stretch without a break is over 110 miles, so be mindful of this when planning your comfort stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 110-mile mark on I-71, to ensure you have enough to reach a service area. Since this is a relatively short, single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or your personal schedule.
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 108.5 miles from South Russell, OH, or about 2h 7m 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 48 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
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 Russell, 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 Russell, OH
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from South Russell, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from South Russell, 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 110.2 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 204.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 271 South, I 480 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East
8
145 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
7
145.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 670 West: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 670 West: Dayton
8
204.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
204.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m 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
$33.68 one way
$67.36 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $37.38 | $74.75 |
| premium | $4.91 | $41.94 | $83.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.91 | $95.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.78 | $10.42 |
| Efficient EV | 54.3 | 0 | $18.99 | $8.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.38 | $13.89 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Morning in Dayton on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
109 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
10 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 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Get ready for a highway-focused experience, with 95% of this 217-mile trip taking place on major roadways like I-71 and I-271. You can expect long stretches of consistent driving, including an uninterrupted 110.2 miles on I-71. The West Freeway also contributes to the predominantly interstate nature of this route. This means you'll likely experience smooth, albeit sometimes monotonous, travel with minimal exposure to local roads. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency and direct travel.
95% 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: 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 8.6 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 217 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 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Russell, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward New Carlisle along the way.
New Carlisle
204.5 mi in
|
~3h 52m
|
via SR 4
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.
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 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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