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Trip from Lima, OH to Kettering, OH

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

77.7 mi

125 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lima, OH, OH

Lima, OH

Cup of Couple

city in Montgomery and Greene counties, Ohio, United States

Kettering, OH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 77.7-mile drive from Lima, OH to Kettering, OH is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes I-75, indicating a highway-focused experience. Given its short duration and straightforward path, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous outing or a planned day trip without the need for an overnight stay. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

38.8 miles from Lima, OH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a drive that is predominantly on the interstate, with 87% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 67.6 miles on I-75, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for most of the trip. The route transitions onto Far Hills Avenue and St Johns Road later on, introducing a slight change in pace as you approach your destination. While not a scenic tour, this highway-focused profile ensures a direct and uninterrupted drive from Lima to Kettering.

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.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Far Hills Avenue. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near SR 65; SR 117; SR 309 / East Elm Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 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 0.5 miles (SR 65; SR 117; SR 309 / East Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (SR 65 / South Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
0.5 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 65; SR 117; SR 309 / East Elm Street

Turn left onto SR 65; SR 117; SR 309 / East Elm Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | SR 65 / South Pine Street

Turn right onto SR 65 / South Pine Street

Navigation decision point

5
3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
71.3 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Take the exit toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue

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 SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue
5
73.3 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | SR 48 / South Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto SR 48 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 67.6 mi 1h 13m
Far Hills Avenue 3.4 mi 6m
St Johns Road 1.2 mi 2m
North Ludlow Street 1.1 mi 1m
South Main Street 1 mi 1m
South Pine Street 0.9 mi 1m
St Johns Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 67.6 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SR 65; SR 81

0.1 mi · 11 sec · West North Street
2

Turn right onto North Union Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Union Street
3

Turn left onto SR 65; SR 117; SR 309

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Elm Street
4

Turn right onto SR 65

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Pine Street
5

Continue on SR 65

0.6 mi · 1 min · St Johns Avenue
6

Continue on SR 65

1.2 mi · 2 min · St Johns Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 75 South: Dayton
8

Merge onto I 75

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto SR 4

168 ft · 2 sec · SR 4
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward SR 48: Main Street, Grand Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto SR 48

0.5 mi · 58 sec · North Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn right onto SR 48

0.1 mi · 17 sec · West Monument Avenue
13

Turn left onto SR 48

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Ludlow Street
14

Turn left onto SR 48

489 ft · 14 sec · Stout Street
15

At end of road, turn right onto SR 48

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
16

Continue on SR 48

3.4 mi · 6 min · Far Hills Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn right onto West Stroop Road

52 ft · 1 sec · West Stroop Road
18

Arrive at destination

West Stroop Road

Trip Plan

For this 1-hour and 32-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially as you get closer to Kettering. Since the total distance is only 77.7 miles and the longest stretch on the highway is 67.6 miles, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. However, keeping track of your fuel is always wise; the estimated cost is $12. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition off I-75, as Far Hills Avenue and St Johns Road will bring you into more local traffic patterns near Kettering.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.8 miles from Lima, OH, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.6 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 77.7 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.8 miles or 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 14m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lima, 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 Lima, OH

This is one driving day of about 77.7 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lima, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 67.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.8 mi from Lima, OH · 45m into the drive

Downtown Dayton, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dayton, OH

39 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

Dayton, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dayton, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Lima, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.6 miles.

Arriving in Kettering, OH

The final approach into Kettering, 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 Kettering, 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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 69.7
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...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 77.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.06 one way

$24.12 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.38 $13.38 $26.77
premium $4.91 $15.02 $30.03
diesel $5.61 $17.16 $34.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.3 0 $8.16 $3.73
Efficient EV 19.4 0 $6.80 $3.11
EV Truck/SUV 31.1 0 $10.88 $4.97

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lima, OH

Late night in Lima on Wednesday

Local time

2:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kettering, OH

Late night in Kettering on Wednesday

Local time

2:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°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

20 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

1h 32m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lima, OH to Kettering, OH covers 77.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Far Hills Avenue, St Johns Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.8 miles from Lima, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.06 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 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 0.5 miles (SR 65; SR 117; SR 309 / East Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (SR 65 / South Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lima, OH to Kettering, OH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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