Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
52.9 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Kettering, OH
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Union City to Kettering, expect a straightforward 52.9-mile journey across the Ohio landscape. This trip typically takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via East Main Street, SR 49, and Dayton Road as you transition between these two Midwest communities. With a fuel cost of approximately $8, it is an incredibly economical drive for your budget. Because the entire route is easily manageable in one sitting, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay. Whether you are heading out for work or visiting friends, this drive provides a practical link between these two locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Road | 17 mi | 19m |
| East Main Street | 11.3 mi | 16m |
| SR 49 | 10 mi | 14m |
| South Dayton Greenville Pike | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Far Hills Avenue | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Sweitzer Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Ludlow Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, OH and Kettering, OH.
Start on SR 47
Turn left onto North State Line Street
Turn left onto SR 571
Continue on SR 49; SR 571
Turn left onto SR 49; SR 571
At end of road, turn right onto SR 49; SR 118; SR 571
Enter roundabout onto South Broadway
Continue on South Broadway
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121
Turn right onto SR 49; SR 121
Turn left onto SR 49
Continue on SR 49
Continue on SR 49
Continue on SR 49
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 49
Continue on West 1st Street
Continue on West 1st Street
Continue on West 1st Street
Turn right onto SR 48
Turn left onto SR 48
At end of road, turn right onto SR 48
Continue on SR 48
Turn right onto West Stroop Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Union City, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 48.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto North State Line Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto SR 49; SR 118; SR 571 / South Broadway
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto South Broadway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 49 toward SR 49 South: Clayton, Trotwood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn right onto SR 48 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$8.21 one way
$16.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $9.11 | $18.22 |
| premium | $4.91 | $10.22 | $20.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.68 | $23.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.55 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Union City on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Kettering on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise on this trek. Only 19% of your total mileage is spent on highways, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local roads and transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 17-mile segment on Dayton Road, which offers a brief period of consistent driving. Because the route relies heavily on regional thoroughfares, you should remain focused on the road as you navigate the various turns. It is a hands-on driving experience that requires more attention than a standard interstate commute.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North State Line Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North State Line Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles (SR 49; SR 118; SR 571 / South Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (South Broadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
290 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
1,108 ft
Elevation Range
333 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Union City, OH to Kettering, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Trotwood along the way.
Trotwood
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 52.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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