How far is Fort Wayne, IN from Dayton, IN?
The driving distance from Fort Wayne, IN to Dayton, IN is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 02h 36m.
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 Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Wayne and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Wayne and Dayton.
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1
Start on Dartmouth Drive
868 ft · 45 sec · Dartmouth Drive
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2
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Washington Center Road
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3
Turn left onto Lima Road
115 m · 15 sec · Lima Road
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
1482 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left
8.4 mi · 10 min
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6
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 6 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward West Lafayette Center Road
1 km · 57 sec
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8
Continue on Lafayette Center Road
2 mi · 3 min · Lafayette Center Road
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9
Continue on East 900 North
1.8 mi · 3 min · East 900 North
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10
Turn left
11.7 mi · 15 min
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11
Continue on Wabash Road
44.6 mi · 56 min · Wabash Road
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12
Turn right onto Wabash Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Wabash Road
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13
Continue on Logansport Bypass
1.1 mi · 1 min · Logansport Bypass
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14
Continue on Hoosier Heartland Highway
35 mi · 44 min · Hoosier Heartland Highway
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hoosier Heartland Highway
72 m · 7 sec · Hoosier Heartland Highway
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Hoosier Heartland Highway
1943 ft · 45 sec · Hoosier Heartland Highway
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17
Turn left onto I 65 South: Indianapolis
1872 ft · 48 sec
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18
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward SR 38: Dayton, Lafayette
2571 ft · 57 sec
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20
Turn left onto SR 38
1.1 km · 1 min · SR 38
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21
Continue on Walnut Street
1361 ft · 44 sec · Walnut Street
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22
Turn left onto Dayton Road
18 m · 2 sec · Dayton Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dayton Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Wayne and Dayton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Wabash Road
Continue on Wabash Road
44.6 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Wayne and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Wayne to Dayton?
The road trip is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Peru is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.1 miles from Fort Wayne and 61.3 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 1:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Wayne and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near Peru
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 Peru.
Lafayette station
Rensselaer
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Elkhart station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Wayne and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 100.49 mi (161.73 km).
#1 Fort Wayne
The second most populous city in Indiana and the center of the Fort Wayne metropolitan area.
| Population | 272,398 |
| Coordinates | 41.1306000, -85.1288600 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dayton
Town in Indiana, USA
| Population | 1,667 |
| Coordinates | 40.3742000, -86.7689000 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-86.7689, 40.3742)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.29 | $32.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.37 | $36.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.11 | $40.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.91 | $45.83 |
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 Indiana · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.