Stow to Beavercreek is 201.2 miles and takes about 3h 55m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, exclusively within Ohio, making it a straightforward trip. The majority of your travel will be on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace. Given the relatively short duration and primarily highway profile, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so prepare for that kind of driving experience.
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
100.6 miles from Stow, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
98.8 mi
1h 46m
West Freeway
50.6 mi
54m
Kenmore Expressway
19.8 mi
24m
I 675
8.2 mi
9m
Akron Expressway
5.6 mi
7m
North Fairfield Road
4.7 mi
9m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
I 77
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-71
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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stow, OH and Beavercreek, OH.
1
Start on SR 91
20 ft·3 sec·Darrow Road
2
Turn right onto SR 59
1.7 mi·3 min·Kent Road
3
Continue on SR 59
0.4 mi·1 min·Front Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 59
0.1 mi·12 sec·2nd Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward SR 8 South, SR 59 West: Akron
6
Merge onto SR 8; SR 59
5.6 mi·7 min·Akron Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 1A-BToward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77
3.0 mi·4 min·I 77
Exit 1BToward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 70
51 mi·54 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 44Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 44AToward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the right lane.
20
Continue on I 675
8.2 mi·9 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 17Toward North Fairfield Road
22
Turn left onto North Fairfield Road
4.7 mi·9 min·North Fairfield Road
Use the left / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
North Fairfield Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With only 201.2 miles, you don't need to split this trip, but you can easily incorporate a brief stop if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so be sure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Stow, especially since most of the drive is on I 71. Keep an eye out for the highway share dropping to near 5% as you get closer to Beavercreek, signaling the end of the interstate portion and the beginning of more local roads.
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 100.6 miles from Stow, OH, or about 1h 58m 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 1h 58m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beavercreek, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stow, 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 Stow, OH
This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Stow, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 187.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngstown, Barberton, Cleveland
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 1A-B
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West, I 77 North: Youngs...
9
8.1 mi into trip|~13m in|I 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 77 toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 76 West, I 77 North: Barberton, Clevel...
8
130.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
8
187.6 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.92 one way
$61.83 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$34.87
$69.74
premium
$4.99
$39.50
$79.01
diesel
$4.80
$37.99
$75.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
EV Truck/SUV
80.5
1
$28.17
$12.88
Gas CO2
70 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Stow, OH
Late night
in Stow on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Smoke
N 3 to 7 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Beavercreek, OH
Late night
in Beavercreek on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 8 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:55PM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 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 55m 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
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 194.2
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 194.2
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 95% of this trip on highways, you'll be on I 71 for the vast majority of the time. The longest continuous stretch on I 71 spans 98.8 miles, meaning you can settle in for a good while without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will happen near the end of your drive, likely after you've covered over 190 miles. Expect a dense series of exits as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 201.2 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,376 ft848 ft
Total Climb
560 ft
Total Descent
774 ft
Highest Point
1,376 ft
~87.9 mi in
Elevation Range
527 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stow, OH and Beavercreek, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Cincinnati.
Stow is in Summit County, Northeast Ohio. It is rather disorganized, but you're probably going to pass through it is you're going from Akron to Cleveland or vice-versa, and you won't get lost if you're just passing through.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 201.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m 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 98.8 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Beavercreek, 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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.9 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Beavercreek, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
