Dayton, OH to South Canal, OH is 227.4 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I-71, I-70, and I-76, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest journey stays within Ohio, primarily following major interstate highways. It's a straightforward, efficient drive, ideal if you're looking to cover ground quickly without much fuss. The route is set up for a single day of travel, making it a convenient option for a quick trip or a segment of a larger road adventure.
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
113.7 miles from Dayton, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
99.5 mi
1h 47m
I 70
49.2 mi
53m
I 76
35.6 mi
42m
SR 4
16.2 mi
20m
SR 5
14.3 mi
18m
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 South Canal, 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: SpringfieldUse 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: ColumbusUse 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: AirportUse 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, ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 71 North: ClevelandUse 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-BToward I 76, US 224: Lodi, AkronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 209AToward I 76, US 224 East: AkronUse 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: AkronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76; I 77
17 mi·20 min·I 76; I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 38BToward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: RavennaUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto SR 5; SR 44
0.4 mi·34 sec·SR 5; SR 44
20
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 5; SR 44
14 mi·18 min·SR 5; SR 44
21
Turn right onto Pa St 3
371 ft·20 sec·Pa St 3
22
Turn left onto Holcomb Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Holcomb Road
23
Continue on Holcomb Newton Falls Road Southwest
0.7 mi·1 min·Holcomb Newton Falls Road Southwest
24
Continue on West Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
25
Continue on SR 534
0.1 mi·17 sec·West Broad Street
26
Turn right onto South Canal Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Canal Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto Niles Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Niles Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Niles Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 24m estimated duration, starting your drive in the morning allows ample time to reach your destination before evening. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically within the 99.5-mile stretch on I-71 to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so keep that in mind as you budget for the trip. Since this is a relatively short, single-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time and can adjust your pace as needed.
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 113.7 miles from Dayton, OH, or about 2h 8m 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.7 miles or 2h 8m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Canal, 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 227.4 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 209.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
8
209.8 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: Ravenna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward SR 5 North, SR 44 North: Ravenna
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.29 one way
$70.58 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$39.17
$78.34
premium
$4.91
$43.95
$87.90
diesel
$5.61
$50.21
$100.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Flo Charging Station
Tallmadge, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Flo Charging Station
Tallmadge, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ravenna, Ohio
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
AmpUp Charging Station
Windham, Ohio
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 3
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.2
0
$23.88
$10.92
Efficient EV
56.9
0
$19.90
$9.10
EV Truck/SUV
91
1
$31.84
$14.55
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Dayton, OH
Afternoon
in Dayton on Saturday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT until April 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
South Canal, OH
Afternoon
in South Canal on Saturday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Mansfield, OH
114 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
26 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 24m 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.
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...
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 15.7
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 196.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 97% of the journey on interstates. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 99.5 miles on I-71, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the majority is high-speed interstate travel, the route is designed for efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways. This means a consistent driving experience that prioritizes directness. The road character remains largely the same, emphasizing smooth, continuous progress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 227.4 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 South Canal, 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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 227.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dayton, OH to South Canal, OH covers 227.4 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 70, I 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.7 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 $35.29 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 23 significant decision points across 227.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles (North Innerbelt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dayton, OH and South Canal, OH, road signs point toward Cleveland and Akron.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
