EL Riacho Mexican Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Fairborn, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19378780500
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
222 mi
357 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kettering, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Mingo Junction, OH
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
The drive from Kettering, OH to Mingo Junction, OH covers 222 miles and takes about 4h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Freeway, I 70, Ohio Valley Pike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.5 miles on East Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
111 miles from Kettering, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 222 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 4h 16m highway drive covering 222 miles, with most of the trip on East Freeway and I 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.5 miles on East Freeway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near Indian Ripple Road.
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 22 significant decision points across 222 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 3.9 miles (Indian Ripple Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / South Innerbelt
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Freeway | 118.5 mi | 2h 9m |
| I 70 | 56.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| Ohio Valley Pike | 19.3 mi | 26m |
| I 675 | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| West Stroop Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| West Freeway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| South Innerbelt | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Indian Ripple Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kettering, OH and Mingo Junction, OH.
Start on West Stroop Road
Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 675
Keep slight left at fork onto I 675
Take the exit
Merge onto I 70; SR 4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 7 Alt
At end of road, turn right onto US 40; SR 7 Alt
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40; SR 7 Alt
Turn left onto US 250
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 7
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto East Murdock Avenue
Turn right onto Peeler Street
Turn left onto Clifton Avenue
Continue on Commercial Street
Turn left onto McLister Avenue
Turn left onto Standard Avenue
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
Turn slight right onto Stanton Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 2h 6m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mingo Junction, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kettering, 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 Kettering, OH
This is one driving day of about 222 miles and 4h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111 mi from Kettering, OH · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111 miles from Kettering, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.5 miles.
The final approach into Mingo Junction, 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 Mingo Junction, OH.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Fairborn, Ohio
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19378780500
El Toro Restaurant
Springfield, Ohio
Bob Evans
Springfield, Ohio
Top Coffee Stop
Columbus, Ohio
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+16146622212
Near the start, short detour
Fairborn, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19378780500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Springfield, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19373257898
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Springfield, Ohio
Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm
+19373240041
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Springfield, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+19375053537
Near the start, short detour
Fairborn, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19379955050
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fairborn, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19373188470
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Springfield, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19373242066
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fairborn, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+19377549912
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+16146622212
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbus, Ohio
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+16142025197
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Dayton, Ohio
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+19372283221
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Cambridge, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17404324245
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$34.45 one way
$68.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $38.24 | $76.48 |
| premium | $4.91 | $42.91 | $85.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.01 | $98.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
| Efficient EV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.08 | $14.21 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Kettering on Friday
Local time
8:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Mingo Junction on Friday
Local time
8:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
49°F
Geneva, OH
111 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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. 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.
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