Trip from Dayton, KY to Ironville, KY

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

149.4 mi

240 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Dayton, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Ironville, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Trip Overview

Spanning 149.4 miles across Kentucky, this journey from Dayton to Ironville takes approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to reach their destination without an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $23 on fuel, keeping the travel costs quite manageable for a solo driver or a small group. Navigating through the Southeastern region, the path utilizes a blend of routes including the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, US 52, and the Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the route is relatively short, you gain the flexibility to depart at your leisure while still arriving with plenty of daylight to spare.

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

74.7 miles from Dayton, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive offers a mixed-road profile, requiring you to balance highway cruising with local navigation. Approximately 32% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a nice contrast to the more varied road conditions you encounter elsewhere. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, where you will cover a 75-mile stretch of consistent driving. You should prepare for a transition between different types of thoroughfares as you move from the initial departure point toward your destination. Expect a functional, practical driving experience that shifts from major corridors to local connections as you work your way through the Kentucky landscape.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 75 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 471.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 149.4 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 1.8 miles (I 471): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 471

Merge onto I 471

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio

17.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia

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 63A-B Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Bata...

17.7 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 63A Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown

17.9 mi into trip | ~24m in | SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway

Turn right onto SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway toward Eastgate Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward Eastgate Boulevard

Towns Along This Route

Between Dayton, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Batavia and Newtown.

Batavia

17.4 mi in | ~23m

Newtown

17.7 mi in | ~24m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway	75 mi	1h 32m
US 52	23.5 mi	25m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway	16.5 mi	17m
US 23	10.5 mi	13m
Circle Freeway	9.5 mi	10m
I 471	4 mi	4m
13th Street	2.1 mi	3m
Ronald Reagan Highway	1.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway — 75 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, KY and Ironville, KY.

Start on Dayton Avenue

46 ft · 8 sec · Dayton Avenue

Turn left onto KY 8 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Continue on KY 8 Business

0.8 mi · 2 min · Fairfield Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on KY 8 Business

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Dave Cowens Drive

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 471 South

Merge onto I 471

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 471

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 1A Toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 275

1.6 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

Continue on I 275

9.5 mi · 10 min · Circle Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 63A-B Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 63A Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown Use the slight left lane.

Turn right onto SR 32

75 mi · 1 hr 32 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway

Toward Eastgate Boulevard Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto US 23

10 mi · 13 min · US 23

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward SR 823 South: Ironton

Continue on SR 823

17 mi · 17 min · Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 52

23 mi · 25 min · US 52

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Continue on Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge

Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right onto US 60

2.1 mi · 3 min · 13th Street

Turn right onto KY 1134

0.3 mi · 52 sec · Winslow Road

At end of road, turn left onto KY 1134

0.5 mi · 1 min · Roberts Drive

Keep slight right at fork onto West Donta Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Donta Road

Turn right onto Pine Street

157 ft · 8 sec · Pine Street

Turn right onto Brett Street

524 ft · 22 sec · Brett Street

Continue on Tiffany Drive

382 ft · 16 sec · Tiffany Drive

Arrive at destination

Tiffany Drive

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 3-hour trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best suits your personal schedule. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and break up the drive, especially during the longer 75-mile segment on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping the $23 estimated cost in mind as you plan your stops. Because the route relies on a mix of roads, having a reliable GPS is essential to navigate the transition between US 52 and the Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway smoothly. Taking your time during these shifts will ensure a stress-free arrival in Ironville.

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 74.7 miles from Dayton, KY, or about 1h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.7 miles or 1h 34m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironville, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Dayton, KY 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 Dayton, KY

This is one driving day of about 149.4 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dayton, KY.

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 James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 75 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.7 mi from Dayton, KY · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wellston, OH

75 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

Wellston, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wellston, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from Dayton, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.

Arriving in Ironville, KY

The final approach into Ironville, KY 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 Ironville, KY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.69 one way

$45.38 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$25.02	$50.03
premium	$4.80	$28.20	$56.41
diesel	$5.64	$33.19	$66.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.8	$15.69	$7.17
Efficient EV	37.4	$13.07	$5.98
EV Truck/SUV	59.8	$20.92	$9.56

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Dayton, KY

Afternoon in Dayton on Sunday

Local time

3:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ironville, KY

Afternoon in Ironville on Sunday

Local time

3:14 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

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 5m 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 Dayton, KY to Ironville, KY covers 149.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, US 52, Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.7 miles from Dayton, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Dayton, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Batavia and Newtown.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Ironville, KY to Dayton, KY

Plan the drive back the other way.

149.6 mi 3h 4m

Explore more options from Dayton, KY or browse trips ending in Ironville, KY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.

Explore maps for Dayton, KY or Ironville, KY on MapSof.net.

Trip from Dayton, KY to Ironville, KY

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ironville, KY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dayton, KY

Ironville, KY

Same local time

21 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 5m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Ironville, KY

More from Dayton, KY

More trips to Ironville, KY