How far is Dayton, KY from Owensboro, KY?
The driving distance from Dayton, KY to Owensboro, KY is about 208.3 miles (335.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.2 miles (273.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dayton and Owensboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton and Owensboro.
-
1
Start on Dayton Avenue
14 m · 8 sec · Dayton Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue
2488 ft · 2 min · 6th Avenue
-
3
Continue on Fairfield Avenue
1.3 km · 3 min · Fairfield Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp left toward I 471 North
1940 ft · 47 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
1808 ft · 24 sec
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 50, I 71 South: Third Street, Columbia Parkway
582 ft · 14 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, I 71 South: Third Street
1561 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
937 ft · 11 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 South
20.4 mi · 25 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
67.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward KY 841 North
736 ft · 18 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on KY 841 North
2995 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Gene Snyder Freeway
3 mi · 3 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
-
14
Continue on Lewis and Clark Bridge
6.1 mi · 7 min · Lewis and Clark Bridge
-
15
Continue straight
1.3 km · 58 sec
-
16
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 7 min
-
17
Continue on I 64 West, SR 62 West: Saint Louis
2548 ft · 54 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
19
Continue straight
63.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 South
2113 ft · 52 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
20.9 mi · 26 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right
1.4 km · 2 min
-
23
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
24
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
3.4 mi · 4 min · Sycamore Street
-
25
Turn left
8.2 mi · 11 min
-
26
Continue on Owensboro Bridge
3218 ft · 1 min · Owensboro Bridge
-
27
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
1383 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Street
-
28
Turn right onto Frederica Street
63 m · 3 sec · Frederica Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frederica Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dayton and Owensboro.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 71 South
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
67.4 mi · 01h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dayton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Owensboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dayton to Owensboro?
The road trip is about 208.3 miles (335.2 km) and usually takes 03h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Louisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.3 miles from Dayton and 104 miles from Owensboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.2 miles (273.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.72 one way or $55.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Dayton and Owensboro, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Dayton and Showers And Thunderstorms near Owensboro.
Stop Ideas Near Louisville
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 Louisville.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dayton and Owensboro. Straight-line distance: 170.21 mi (273.92 km).
#1 Dayton
City in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 5,647 |
| Coordinates | 39.1128400, -84.4727200 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Owensboro
The most populous city in Daviess County, Kentucky.
| Population | 60,344 |
| Coordinates | 37.7742200, -87.1133300 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frederica Street (-87.113495, 37.77421)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 335 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.72 | $55.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.21 | $68.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.98 | $77.97 |
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.