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Trip from Dayton, OH to Girard, OH

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

239.5 mi

385 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 17m ★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dayton, OH, OH

Dayton, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Girard, OH, OH

Girard, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Dayton, OH to Girard, OH covers 239.5 miles and typically takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused experience, with 98% of the travel occurring on interstates like I-71, I-76, and I-70. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited as a single-day excursion. Budget approximately $37 for fuel, and plan for one primary stop along the way. The drive primarily stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent travel experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

119.8 miles from Dayton, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a highway-centric drive, with nearly the entirety of the 239.5 miles on interstates. Expect a profile dominated by fast-paced travel, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 99.5 miles on I-71. While the route is predominantly interstate, it provides a predictable and generally smooth driving experience from start to finish, making it ideal for those prioritizing direct travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 239.5 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

8
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward SR 4 North: Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward SR 4 North: Springfield
7
11.5 mi into trip | ~15m in | SR 4

Take the exit onto SR 4 toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus

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. Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
8
70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | North Innerbelt

Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland
8
171.2 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron

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 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron
9
171.4 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209A Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dayton, OH and Girard, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.

Cleveland

70.8 mi in | ~1h 20m | via North Innerbelt

Akron

171.2 mi in | ~3h 10m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 99.5 mi 1h 47m
I 76 57.6 mi 1h 6m
I 70 49.2 mi 53m
SR 4 16.2 mi 20m
I 80 6.9 mi 7m
I 670 4.3 mi 5m
Kenmore Expressway 1.9 mi 2m
South Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 99.5 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, OH and Girard, OH.

1

Start on South Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
2

Take the ramp

141 ft · 3 sec
Toward I 75 North, SR 4 North: Toledo, Springfield
3

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward SR 4 North: Springfield Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4

Merge onto SR 4

10 mi · 13 min · SR 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto SR 4

5.8 mi · 7 min · SR 4
Toward US 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

49 mi · 53 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 670
Toward I 670 East: Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto North Innerbelt

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North Innerbelt
Toward I 71: Cincinnati, Cleveland Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cleveland Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto I 71

100 mi · 1 hr 47 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward I 76, US 224: Lodi, Akron Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 209A Toward I 76, US 224 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 76; US 224

17 mi · 20 min · I 76; US 224
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.9 mi · 2 min · Kenmore Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 76
Toward I 76 East: Akron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77

39 mi · 43 min · I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 80

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 80
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 80
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Toward US 422: Girard
21

Turn left onto US 422

0.4 mi · 48 sec · South State Street
22

Turn left onto West Liberty Street Southeast

145 ft · 4 sec · West Liberty Street Southeast
23

Arrive at destination

West Liberty Street Southeast

Trip Plan

With a total driving time of 4 hours and 30 minutes, this trip from Dayton to Girard is easily achievable in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. You'll want to plan for one main stop to stretch your legs or grab a bite, especially given the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 100 miles on I-71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer interstate segments, and your estimated fuel cost is around $37.

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 119.8 miles from Dayton, OH, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.5 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dayton, 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 Dayton, OH

This is one driving day of about 239.5 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dayton, 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 99.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 119.8 mi from Dayton, OH · 2h 14m into the drive

Downtown Mansfield, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, OH

120 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

Columbus, OH

Fuel and coffee

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

Mansfield, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Dayton, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.5 miles.

Arriving in Girard, OH

The final approach into Girard, 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 Girard, OH.

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

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 8.3
View on nps.gov
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Monument

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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 16.5
View on nps.gov
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

National Park

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...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 198.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.17 one way

$74.34 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $41.25 $82.50
premium $4.91 $46.29 $92.58
diesel $5.61 $52.88 $105.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.9 0 $25.15 $11.50
Efficient EV 59.9 0 $20.96 $9.58
EV Truck/SUV 95.8 1 $33.53 $15.33

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 hours ago

Origin

Dayton, OH

Evening in Dayton on Tuesday

Local time

7:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 16 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Destination

Girard, OH

Evening in Girard on Tuesday

Local time

7:40 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Mansfield, OH

120 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

29 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

4h 30m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dayton, OH to Girard, OH covers 239.5 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 76, I 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.8 miles from Dayton, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.17 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 239.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (SR 4): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dayton, OH and Girard, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.

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Return Trip

Girard, OH to Dayton, OH

Plan the drive back the other way.

239.3 mi 4h 31m

Explore more options from Dayton, OH or browse trips ending in Girard, OH.

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