The drive from Concord, OH to Dayton, OH covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mill Creek Expressway, Circle Freeway, James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.1 miles on Mill Creek Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.61 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.
Midpoint
37.4 miles from Concord, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 74.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 74.8 miles, with most of the trip on Mill Creek Expressway and Circle Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.1 miles on Mill Creek Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mill Creek Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
964 ft587 ft
Total Climb
861 ft
Total Descent
991 ft
Highest Point
964 ft
~64.1 mi in
Elevation Range
377 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Mill Creek Expressway and Circle Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near SR 133 / State Route 133.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.8 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: at 2.3 miles (SR 133 / State Route 133): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 275 / Circle Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~9m in|SR 133 / State Route 133
At end of road, turn left onto SR 133 / State Route 133
Navigation decision point
6
17.5 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 275 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 275 North: Columbus
5
18.1 mi into trip|~32m in|I 275 / Circle Freeway
Merge onto I 275 / Circle Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
37.2 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Dayton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43B
Toward I 75 North: Dayton
8
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Second Street, Salem Avenue, 1st 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.
Exit 53
Toward Second Street, Salem Avenue, 1st Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mill Creek Expressway
36.1 mi
41m
Circle Freeway
19.1 mi
22m
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Twin Bridges Road
2.3 mi
9m
State Route 133
1 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
McKeever Road
0.5 mi
1m
North 4th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Mill Creek Expressway
— 36.1 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, OH and Dayton, OH.
1
Start on Twin Bridges Road
2.3 mi·9 min·Twin Bridges Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto SR 133
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 133
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 133
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
4
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·North 4th Street
5
Continue on McKeever Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McKeever Road
6
Turn left onto SR 32
13 mi·17 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 275
19 mi·22 min·Circle Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 43BToward I 75 North: DaytonUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 75
36 mi·41 min·Mill Creek Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 53Toward Second Street, Salem Avenue, 1st StreetUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·West 1st Street
13
Turn right onto SR 48
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Ludlow Street
14
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
514 ft·12 sec·West 3rd Street
15
Turn right onto South Main Street
221 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
16
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 37.4 miles from Concord, OH, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 16 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.4 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
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 Concord, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Concord, OH
This is one driving day of about 74.8 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Concord, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Mill Creek Expressway for about 36.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.4 mi from Concord, OH
· 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 37.4 miles from Concord, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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 74.8
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 74.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.61 one way
$23.22 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$12.88
$25.77
premium
$4.91
$14.46
$28.91
diesel
$5.61
$16.51
$33.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.85
$3.59
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.54
$2.99
EV Truck/SUV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Concord, OH
Morning
in Concord on Friday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dayton, OH
Morning
in Dayton on Friday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Milford, OH
37 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
15 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
1h 39m 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 Concord, OH to Dayton, OH covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mill Creek Expressway, Circle Freeway, James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.4 miles from Concord, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.61 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 74.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (SR 133 / State Route 133): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 275 / Circle Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Concord, OH to Dayton, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 587 ft to 964 ft elevation with about 861 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Elevation is sampled from
USGS 3DEP.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
