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Trip from Hocking, OH to Dayton, OH

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 47m

Distance

128.2 mi

206 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 37m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m

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

Downtown Hocking, OH, OH

Hocking, OH

MART PRODUCTION

Downtown Dayton, OH, OH

Dayton, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 128.2-mile journey from Hocking, OH to Dayton, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US 35 and US 50, with a short segment on SR 278, offering a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $19, this drive is quite economical. You'll be staying within the Midwest region for the entirety of your travels. Consider this a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B, with minimal fuss.

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

64.1 miles from Hocking, OH

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 128.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a drive that is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 76.3 miles along US 35. This highway-focused profile suggests a generally smooth and direct route, ideal for covering distance efficiently. While the specific scenery isn't detailed, the emphasis on highways indicates fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops at quaint local spots and more of a 'get there' kind of drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,074 ft 654 ft

Total Climb

420 ft

Total Descent

423 ft

Highest Point

1,074 ft

~91.6 mi in

Elevation Range

420 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 35 and US 50. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near SR 278.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 128.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.7 miles (SR 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 12.9 miles (SR 677 / Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.7 miles (US 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | SR 278

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 278

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
12.9 mi into trip | ~22m in | SR 677 / Vine Street

Turn right onto SR 677 / Vine Street

Navigation decision point

7
50.7 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | US 35

Keep slight left at fork onto US 35 toward US 35 West: Dayton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 35 West: Dayton
7
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 44m 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
127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 46m 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...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 35 76.3 mi 1h 26m
US 50 29 mi 43m
SR 278 9.8 mi 17m
Powder Plant Road 4.3 mi 7m
SR 56 2.7 mi 4m
South Jefferson Street 0.3 mi <1m
Broadway Street 0.2 mi <1m
Vine Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 35 — 76.3 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SR 56

2.7 mi · 4 min · SR 56
2

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 278

9.8 mi · 17 min · SR 278
3

Turn right onto SR 677

148 ft · 5 sec · Commercial Street
4

Continue on SR 677

425 ft · 9 sec · Commercial Street
5

Turn left onto SR 677

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Broadway Street
6

Turn right onto SR 677

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Vine Street
7

Continue on SR 677

495 ft · 10 sec · Power Plant Road
8

Continue on SR 677

1.2 mi · 2 min · Powder Plant Road
9

Turn left onto SR 677

3.1 mi · 5 min · Powder Plant Road
10

At end of road, turn right onto US 50

29 mi · 43 min · US 50
11

Take the ramp

4.4 mi · 5 min
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 35

76 mi · 1 hr 26 min · US 35
Toward US 35 West: Dayton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Jefferson Street Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

321 ft · 7 sec
Toward Jefferson Street, Day Air Ballpark, Patterson boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn slight right onto South Jefferson Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · South Jefferson Street
16

Turn left onto East 4th Street

513 ft · 14 sec · East 4th Street
17

Turn right onto South Main Street

303 ft · 8 sec · South Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee in Hocking. The most significant uninterrupted stretch is 76.3 miles on US 35, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you begin this longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at just $19, budget concerns are minimal. A single planned stop should be more than sufficient for this efficient drive to Dayton.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.1 miles from Hocking, OH, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 28 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.1 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 20m

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 Hocking, 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 Hocking, OH

This is one driving day of about 128.2 miles and 2h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Hocking, 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 US 35 for about 76.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.1 mi from Hocking, OH · 1h 34m into the drive

Downtown Chillicothe, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chillicothe, OH

64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington Court House, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from Hocking, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.3 miles.

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

$19.90 one way

$39.79 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $22.08 $44.16
premium $4.91 $24.78 $49.55
diesel $5.61 $28.30 $56.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.5 0 $13.46 $6.15
Efficient EV 32.1 0 $11.22 $5.13
EV Truck/SUV 51.3 0 $17.95 $8.20

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Hocking, OH

Afternoon in Hocking on Thursday

Local time

1:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dayton, OH

Afternoon in Dayton on Thursday

Local time

1:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Chance Rain Showers

SW 18 mph 47% chance 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

16 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 47m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hocking, OH to Dayton, OH covers 128.2 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 35, US 50, SR 278. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.1 miles from Hocking, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.90 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 128.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.7 miles (SR 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 12.9 miles (SR 677 / Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.7 miles (US 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hocking, OH to Dayton, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 654 ft to 1,074 ft elevation with about 420 ft of total climbing.

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