How far is Dayton, KY from Lexington, KY?
The driving distance from Dayton, KY to Lexington, KY is about 93.1 miles (149.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dayton and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton and Lexington.
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1
Start on Dayton Avenue
14 m · 8 sec · Dayton Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue
2488 ft · 2 min · 6th Avenue
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3
Continue on Fairfield Avenue
1.3 km · 3 min · Fairfield Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 471 North
1940 ft · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1808 ft · 24 sec
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 50, I 71 South: Third Street, Columbia Parkway
582 ft · 14 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, I 71 South: Third Street
1561 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
937 ft · 11 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 South
77.9 mi · 1 hr 27 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington
1442 ft · 38 sec
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11
Turn right onto Newtown Pike
3.3 mi · 5 min · Newtown Pike
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12
Continue on Oliver Lewis Way
1.4 km · 1 min · Oliver Lewis Way
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13
Continue on Bolivar Street
877 ft · 24 sec · Bolivar Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Upper Street
945 ft · 28 sec · South Upper Street
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15
Continue on South Limestone
1132 ft · 32 sec · South Limestone
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16
Turn right onto Avenue of Champions
1783 ft · 42 sec · Avenue of Champions
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17
Continue on Euclid Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Euclid Avenue
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18
Turn right onto East High Street
689 ft · 14 sec · East High Street
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19
Continue on Tates Creek Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Tates Creek Road
-
20
Turn slight left
150 m · 18 sec
-
21
Continue on Alumni Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Alumni Drive
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22
Turn right onto Chinoe Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Chinoe Road
-
23
Continue on Greentree Road
877 ft · 32 sec · Greentree Road
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24
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1470 ft · 42 sec · Gainesway Drive
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25
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
80 m · 9 sec · Coldstream Drive
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Coldstream Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton and Lexington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 50 West
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 South
77.9 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dayton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Lexington?
The road trip is about 93.1 miles (149.8 km) and usually takes 01h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Williamstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.1 miles from Dayton and 48 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.7 miles (125 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.37 one way or $24.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Dayton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Williamstown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Williamstown.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dayton and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 77.67 mi (125 km).
#1 Dayton
City in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 5,647 |
| Coordinates | 39.1128400, -84.4727200 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Coldstream Drive (-84.477478, 37.988621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 150 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.37 | $24.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.27 | $30.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.40 | $34.79 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · Apr 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.