How far is Kettering, OH from Nelson, OH?

The driving distance from Kettering, OH to Nelson, OH is about 236.5 miles (380.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
236.52 mi
04h 32m
Flight
198.38 mi
319.26 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kettering.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
198.38 mi
Kilometers
319.26 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
236.52 mi
Kilometers
380.65 km
Drive Time
04h 32m

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 04h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nelson
Wed, May 13, 12:59 AM EDT
Return by in Kettering
Wed, May 13, 5:32 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kettering
2026-05-12T20:26
Arrive Nelson
Wed, May 13, 12:59 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:54 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kettering
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Chesterville
OH

Human settlement in Morrow County, Ohio, United States of America

From Kettering
118.1 mi
02h 16m
To Nelson
118.4 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
64°F
Tuesday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 6 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kettering and Nelson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kettering and Nelson.

  1. 1

    Start on West Stroop Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · West Stroop Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Indian Ripple Road

    2562 ft · 43 sec · Indian Ripple Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    2064 ft · 50 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    6.4 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    9 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, SR 4 North: Columbus

    1.2 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    49.2 mi · 53 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 670 East: Airport

    4.3 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Innerbelt

    1003 ft · 16 sec · North Innerbelt

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North: Cleveland

    2166 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 71 North: Cleveland

    1560 ft · 38 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    110.9 mi · 2 hr

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    9.9 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 77 North: Cleveland

    1.5 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 21: Brecksville Road

    2119 ft · 52 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Brecksville Road

    1 km · 1 min · Brecksville Road

  19. 19

    Take the ramp left toward I 80: Ohio Turnpike

    1502 ft · 37 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    121 m · 10 sec

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    542 ft · 13 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Youngstown

    1504 ft · 37 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Ohio Turnpike

    20.2 mi · 22 min · Ohio Turnpike

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 44

    1.2 km · 2 min

  25. 25

    Continue on SR 44

    570 ft · 26 sec

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Painesville Ravenna Road

    4.5 mi · 8 min · Painesville Ravenna Road

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Twinsburg Warren Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Twinsburg Warren Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Wakefield Road

    4.8 mi · 8 min · Wakefield Road

  29. 29

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  30. 30

    Enter the roundabout toward Nelson Town Square

    18 m · 1 sec · Nelson Town Square

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Nelson Town Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kettering and Nelson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 71 North
122 mi · 51%
I 70 East
51.8 mi · 22%
Ohio Turnpike
20.2 mi · 9%
Indian Ripple Road
16.2 mi · 7%
Wakefield Road
7.3 mi · 3%
Painesville Ravenna Road
4.48 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 71 North

Merge slight left

111 mi · 02h 00m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.1 mi
198.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chesterville
02h 16m from Kettering
Leave By
7:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kettering and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Nelson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kettering to Nelson?

The road trip is about 236.5 miles (380.6 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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?

Chesterville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.1 miles from Kettering and 118.4 miles from Nelson.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 198.4 miles (319.3 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 7:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.94 one way or $61.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kettering and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Nelson.

Stop Ideas Near Chesterville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chesterville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chesterville.

BUS

Columbus, OH

64 mi away
111 East Town Street
RAIL

Sandusky

107 mi away
1200 North Depot St.
RAIL

Elyria

111 mi away
410 East River Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kettering and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 198.38 mi (319.26 km).

Kettering

#1 Kettering

The most populous city in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Population54,313
Coordinates39.6895000, -84.1688300
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Nelson

#2 Nelson

Township in Portage County, Ohio, United States of America

Population3,140
Coordinates41.3100600, -81.0514800
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Start: Kettering (-84.16883, 39.6895)
End: Nelson (-81.05148, 41.31006)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 381 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.35 gal
31.59 L · about $30.94
Round trip
$61.87
16.7 gal · 63.18 L
Estimated CO2
74.2 kg one way
Round trip: 148.4 kg / 327 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $30.94 $61.87
Mid-grade $4.24 $35.42 $70.84
Premium $4.79 $40.00 $79.99
Diesel $4.30 $35.94 $71.88

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 Ohio · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Kettering and Nelson. The current time is 20:26:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.