How far is Lexington, KY from Dayton, KY?
The driving distance from Lexington, KY to Dayton, KY is about 89.7 miles (144.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 39m 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 49m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Dayton.
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1
Start on Coldstream Drive
80 m · 12 sec · Coldstream Drive
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2
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
1470 ft · 40 sec · Gainesway Drive
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3
Turn right onto Greentree Road
877 ft · 25 sec · Greentree Road
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4
Continue on Chinoe Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Chinoe Road
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5
Turn left onto Alumni Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Alumni Drive
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6
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
1 mi · 2 min · Tates Creek Road
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7
Continue on East High Street
689 ft · 19 sec · East High Street
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8
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Euclid Avenue
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9
Continue on Avenue of Champions
1783 ft · 42 sec · Avenue of Champions
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10
Continue on Winslow Street
128 m · 16 sec · Winslow Street
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11
Turn left onto South Upper Street
69 m · 10 sec · South Upper Street
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12
Turn right onto Bolivar Street
839 ft · 19 sec · Bolivar Street
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13
Continue on Oliver Lewis Way
1.3 km · 1 min · Oliver Lewis Way
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14
Continue on Newtown Pike
3.4 mi · 5 min · Newtown Pike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
1604 ft · 39 sec
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16
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Cincinnati
74.4 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus
1.4 km · 1 min
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19
Take the exit slight left toward US 50 East: Columbia Parkway
2753 ft · 45 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 471 South: Newport Kentucky
1035 ft · 25 sec
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21
Merge slight left
1507 ft · 20 sec
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Newport, Bellevue
1248 ft · 31 sec
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23
Turn slight right onto Park Avenue
146 m · 23 sec · Park Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Dave Cowens Drive
1369 ft · 39 sec · Dave Cowens Drive
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25
Continue on Fairfield Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Fairfield Avenue
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26
Continue on 6th Avenue
2488 ft · 2 min · 6th Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Dayton Avenue
14 m · 2 sec · Dayton Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dayton Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington and Dayton.
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 75 North
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Cincinnati
74.4 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lexington and Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lexington to Dayton?
The road trip is about 89.7 miles (144.4 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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 44.9 miles from Lexington and 44.9 miles from Dayton.
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 12 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 2:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.95 one way or $23.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lexington and Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dayton.
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 Lexington and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 77.67 mi (125 km).
#1 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dayton
City in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 5,647 |
| Coordinates | 39.1128400, -84.4727200 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-84.47272, 39.11284)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 144 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.95 | $23.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.48 | $26.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.75 | $29.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.81 | $33.63 |
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.