Tallmadge, OH to Kettering, OH is 205.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 71 and West Freeway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, traveling solely within Ohio. It's a largely straightforward trip that should feel familiar to anyone who has driven in the region. Given its relatively short duration, it's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion.
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
102.6 miles from Tallmadge, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 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
15.5 mi
17m
I 76
4.8 mi
6m
I 670
4.5 mi
5m
East Stroop Road
3.8 mi
7m
Brittain Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tallmadge, OH and Kettering, OH.
1
Start on SR 91
91 ft·3 sec·Tallmadge Circle
2
Continue on Southwest Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Southwest Avenue
3
Continue on Eastland Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Eastland Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto Brittain Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Brittain Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 76 West
6
Merge onto I 76
4.8 mi·6 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
20 mi·24 min·Kenmore Expressway
Toward I 76 West: BarbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 1AToward I 71 South: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 109AToward I 670 East, I 670 West: Airport, DaytonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 670 West: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 670
0.2 mi·19 sec·Northeast Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 670
4.5 mi·5 min·I 670
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
51 mi·54 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 44Toward I 675 South: Spangler Road, CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 44AToward I 675 South: CincinnatiUse the right lane.
18
Continue on I 675
16 mi·17 min·I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 10Toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple RoadUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
0.4 mi·48 sec·Indian Ripple Road
21
Turn left onto East Stroop Road
3.8 mi·7 min·East Stroop Road
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
West Stroop Road
Trip Plan
For this 3h 59m drive, leaving in the morning from Tallmadge will give you plenty of time to reach Kettering and settle in. The total fuel cost is estimated at $32, so budget accordingly. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Pay attention to the transition off I 71, as this is where the highway portion of your drive will conclude.
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 102.6 miles from Tallmadge, OH, or about 2h 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kettering, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tallmadge, 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 Tallmadge, OH
This is one driving day of about 205.2 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Tallmadge, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 200.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.3 mi into trip|~14m 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
8
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
184.8 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
8
200.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple Road
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 10
Toward Kettering, Dorothy Lane, Indian Ripple R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.85 one way
$63.69 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$35.34
$70.69
premium
$4.91
$39.66
$79.32
diesel
$5.61
$45.31
$90.61
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: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Tallmadge, OH
Late night
in Tallmadge on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kettering, OH
Late night
in Kettering on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 8 to 13 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:53PM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:53PM EDT until April 23 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 198.1
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 191.1
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 the driving on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I 71, West Freeway, and Kenmore Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch on I 71 covers 98.8 miles. Expect a continuous highway experience for the vast majority of this trip, transitioning to surface roads only near the end.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 8.3 miles in near I 76 / Kenmore Expressway.
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 16 significant decision points across 205.2 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 8.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.1 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.
Between Tallmadge, OH and Kettering, OH, road signs point toward Dayton and Cincinnati.
Dayton
128.1 mi in|~2h 28m
Cincinnati
184.1 mi in|~3h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 205.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m 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.
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 Kettering, 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 8.3 miles (I 76 / Kenmore Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Kettering, OH, but most travelers stay overnight.
