Origin
Clayton, OH
Late night in Clayton on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clayton, OH to Dayton, OH
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
96.2 mi
155 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clayton, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Dayton, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Clayton, OH to Dayton, OH covers 96.2 miles and takes about 2h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Cross Street, Xenia Bypass, US 68 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.6 miles on North Cross Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.93 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48.1 miles from Clayton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 24m drive with frequent turns across 96.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Cross Street is the longest continuous segment at about 28.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near SR 41.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 3.1 miles (SR 41): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.5 miles (SR 247 / North Cross Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
SR 41
Turn sharp left onto SR 41
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
10.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
SR 247 / North Cross Street
Turn left onto SR 247 / North Cross Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
78.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the ramp toward US 35 West: Dayton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 35 West: Dayton
7
95 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward SR 48: Main Street, Jefferson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Jefferson Street
8
95.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Jefferson Street, Day Air Ballpark, Patterson boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Jefferson Street, Day Air Ballpark, Patt...
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 Clayton, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Xenia along the way.
Xenia
63.5 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Cross Street | 28.6 mi | 43m |
| Xenia Bypass | 16.2 mi | 21m |
| US 68 | 14.8 mi | 22m |
| South South Street | 14 mi | 18m |
| North West Street | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| SR 41 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Clayton Pike | 3.1 mi | 9m |
| South High Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Cross Street
— 28.6 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on Clayton Pike
1.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Clayton Pike
2
Continue on Clayton Pike
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Clayton Pike
3
Continue on C-3
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Clayton Pike
4
Turn sharp left onto SR 41
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
SR 41
5
Turn left onto SR 247
29 mi
·
43 min
·
North Cross Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on SR 247
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South East Street
7
Turn left onto SR 73
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Muntz Street
8
Turn right onto US 62; SR 73
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
South High Street
9
Turn left onto US 50; SR 73; SR 124
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Main Street
10
Turn right onto SR 73
9.4 mi
·
14 min
·
North West Street
11
Continue on SR 73
14 mi
·
18 min
·
South South Street
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 68: Wilmington, Xenia
13
Turn right onto US 68
15 mi
·
22 min
·
US 68
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 35 West: Dayton
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 35
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Xenia Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Jefferson Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
321 ft
·
7 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Day Air Ballpark, Patterson boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto South Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
19
Turn left onto East 4th Street
513 ft
·
14 sec
·
East 4th Street
20
Turn right onto South Main Street
303 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.1 miles from Clayton, OH, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 80 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 1m
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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, OH
This is one driving day of about 96.2 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clayton, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on North Cross Street for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.1 mi from Clayton, OH · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.1 miles from Clayton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dayton, OH
The final approach into Dayton, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dayton, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.93 one way
$29.86 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $16.57 | $33.14 |
| premium | $4.91 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.24 | $42.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.10 | $4.62 |
| Efficient EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.42 | $3.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.47 | $6.16 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Dayton, OH
Late night in Dayton on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clayton, OH to Dayton, OH covers 96.2 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Cross Street, Xenia Bypass, US 68. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.1 miles from Clayton, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (SR 41): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.5 miles (SR 247 / North Cross Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Clayton, OH to Dayton, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Xenia along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dayton, OH
More from Clayton, OH
More trips to Dayton, OH
Explore more options from Clayton, OH or browse trips ending in Dayton, OH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OH road trips.
Explore maps for Clayton, OH or Dayton, OH on MapSof.net.