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Trip from Kettering, OH to Nelsonville, OH

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

136.4 mi

220 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 34m

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

city in Montgomery and Greene counties, Ohio, United States

Kettering, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Nelsonville, OH, OH

Nelsonville, OH

Jovan Vasiljević

Trip Overview

This 136.4-mile drive from Kettering, OH to Nelsonville, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-70 and I-675, with a segment on Old Logan Road, offering a 60% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this is an affordable journey. The Midwest regions of both your origin and destination mean you'll be traversing familiar, rolling terrain throughout Ohio. It's a straightforward drive, perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient transfer between locations.

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

68.2 miles from Kettering, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 136.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 60% of the journey on highways like I-70 and I-675. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.1 miles on I-70, providing a solid period of consistent speed. While much of the drive is on well-maintained interstates, the inclusion of Old Logan Road introduces a change of pace, likely offering a more local feel. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and moments of more varied, potentially winding, road conditions as you progress towards Nelsonville.

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 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 51.1 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 3.9 miles in near Indian Ripple Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 16 significant decision points across 136.4 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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

6
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | Indian Ripple Road

Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
20.1 mi into trip | ~26m in

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

Exit 26A Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
6
22.7 mi into trip | ~29m in | I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
71.9 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | I 70 / West Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / West Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
80.6 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward US 33 East: Lancaster

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 105A Toward US 33 East: Lancaster

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 51.1 mi 55m
Old Logan Road 16.9 mi 18m
I 675 15.4 mi 17m
Lancaster Bypass 13.8 mi 14m
Southeast Expressway 8.8 mi 11m
Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest 7.6 mi 9m
West Stroop Road 3.9 mi 7m
East Freeway 3.6 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 51.1 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kettering, OH and Nelsonville, OH.

1

Start on West Stroop Road

3.9 mi · 7 min · West Stroop Road
2

Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Indian Ripple Road
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
4

Merge onto I 675

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 675
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 675

9.0 mi · 10 min · I 675
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 26A Toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus
7

Merge onto I 70; SR 4

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 70; SR 4
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

49 mi · 53 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

3.2 mi · 4 min · West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 70

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Innerbelt
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 31 sec · South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 70

3.6 mi · 4 min · East Freeway
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 105A Toward US 33 East: Lancaster Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on US 33

0.3 mi · 29 sec · College Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 33

8.8 mi · 11 min · Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 33

7.6 mi · 9 min · Columbus-Lancaster Road Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 33

14 mi · 14 min · Lancaster Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on US 33

3.5 mi · 4 min · Logan-Lancaster Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Continue on US 33

2.6 mi · 3 min · Logan-Lancaster Road Southeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on US 33

17 mi · 18 min · Old Logan Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 182 Toward Nelsonville, Nelsonville Business Route
22

Turn right onto Business US 33

0.5 mi · 45 sec · John Lloyd Evans Memorial Drive
23

Enter roundabout onto Business US 33

176 ft · 3 sec · Washington Street
24

Continue on Business US 33

0.5 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
25

Keep slight right at fork onto Business US 33

0.6 mi · 1 min · Canal Street
26

Turn left

50 ft · 9 sec
27

Turn left

85 ft · 6 sec
28

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes, this trip from Kettering to Nelsonville is best tackled in one go. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive and still enjoy your destination. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 51.1 miles on I-70. While the total fuel cost is estimated at $21, it's always wise to top off before heading out to avoid any unexpected detours for gas.

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 68.2 miles from Kettering, OH, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.1 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 30 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.2 miles or 1h 18m 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 10m

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

Before You Leave

+

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 136.4 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Kettering, 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 70 for about 51.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.2 mi from Kettering, OH · 1h 18m into the drive

capital city of Ohio, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, OH

68 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.

Popular next leg

Columbus, OH to Nelsonville, OH

60.8 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Springfield, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hilliard, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.2 miles from Kettering, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Nelsonville, OH

The final approach into Nelsonville, 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 Nelsonville, 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

$21.17 one way

$42.34 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $23.49 $46.99
premium $4.91 $26.36 $52.72
diesel $5.61 $30.12 $60.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.9 0 $14.32 $6.55
Efficient EV 34.1 0 $11.94 $5.46
EV Truck/SUV 54.6 0 $19.10 $8.73

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 16, 2026

Origin

Kettering, OH

Evening in Kettering on Thursday

Local time

6:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Chance Rain Showers

SW 15 mph 36% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:54AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:54AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Destination

Nelsonville, OH

Evening in Nelsonville on Thursday

Local time

6:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

28 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

2h 40m 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 Kettering, OH to Nelsonville, OH covers 136.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, Old Logan Road, I 675. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.2 miles from Kettering, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.17 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136.4 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 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.
The route from Kettering, OH to Nelsonville, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Nelsonville, OH to Kettering, OH

Plan the drive back the other way.

134.1 mi 2h 41m

Explore more options from Kettering, OH or browse trips ending in Nelsonville, OH.

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