Roadways of Dayton, Ohio

Introduction

Dayton, Ohio is a city with a population of around 140,000 residents. It is located in southwest Ohio and is the county seat of Montgomery County. The city has an extensive network of roadways that help connect neighborhoods, provide access to downtown Dayton, and link to major highways.

In this local guide, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the various types of roads and highways in Dayton, major routes, history, ongoing projects, and more.

Types of Roads and Highways

There are several classifications of roads and highways that make up Dayton’s transportation infrastructure:

Interstates

• Interstate 75 – Runs north-south through Dayton. It links the city to Cincinnati, Toledo, and Detroit. A major highway for transport and commerce.
• Interstate 70 – Runs east-west through Dayton. Connects the city with Columbus, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Another vital interstate for the region.

U.S. Highways

• U.S. Route 35 – Runs east-west through Dayton. Follows along the route of the old National Road and connects the city to Xenia and Springfield.
• U.S. Route 40 – Runs concurrent with I-70 in Dayton. An alternate east-west route to I-70 that goes through more of the southern part of the state.

State Routes

• Ohio State Route 4 – Runs north from Dayton up to Springfield. A major thoroughfare on Dayton’s west side.
• Ohio State Route 48 – Runs north-south connecting Dayton to Covington and Lebanon.
• Ohio State Route 49 – Runs east-west through Dayton. Connects the city with Trotwood, Englewood, and Sidney.

Local Roads

• Main Streets – Major roads that often formed historical commercial centers of neighborhoods, like Salem Ave, Wayne Ave, and Watervliet Ave.
• Feeder Roads – Supporting routes that connect neighborhoods and provide access to highways. Ex: Keowee St, Leo St.
• Neighborhood Streets – The local roads that make up Dayton’s various residential areas.

Major Roads and Routes

Some of the most important roadways used by Dayton residents include:

Salem Avenue

Salem Avenue is a major north-south route on Dayton’s northwest side. It runs from Needmore Road down to Stewart Street in downtown Dayton.

The section through North Dayton is lined with commercial development. Further south it passes by the University of Dayton campus and the Miami Valley Hospital.

Airway Road

Airway Road is an east-west route on the north side of Dayton near the airport. It provides access between I-75 and Route 4. The road has numerous hotels, restaurants, and other services catering to business and airline travelers.

Edwin C. Moses Boulevard

Moses Boulevard forms a loop around central and downtown Dayton, crossing the Great Miami River. It was renamed for Olympic athlete Edwin Moses. The boulevard provides access to NCR Corporation, the Dayton Convention Center, and Dayton Dragons baseball.

Keowee Street and Leo Street

Keowee and Leo Streets are important feeder roads on Dayton’s east side. They link neighborhoods like HufFman Historic District to Wayne Avenue and Route 4.

Germantown Street

Germantown Street is a major thoroughfare that runs from downtown Dayton through the historic Germantown neighborhood and up to the suburb of Germantown. The Oregon District entertainment area is located off of Germantown.

Smithville Road

Smithville Road starts downtown near UD Arena and runs east towards Greene County. It provides access to the Air Force museum and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, two major attractions.

Needmore Road

Needmore is a heavily-traveled route on Dayton’s north side. It connects Huber Heights, Old North Dayton, Harrison Township, and Vandalia. Strip malls line the roadway in many sections.

Wilmington Pike

Wilmington Pike runs from Kettering through Moraine and on down to Centerville. It parallels Route 4 and is another option for reaching southern suburbs. The road has a mix of houses, businesses, and offices.

History of Dayton Roadways

As one of Ohio’s earlier settlements, Dayton has a long history when it comes to transportation infrastructure:

• Early roads – Dayton was founded at the confluence of several Native American trails which were some of the first crude roads in the area. The Dixie Highway running through town was originally a bison trail.
• National Road – Around 1820, the National Road was built through Dayton, following what is now Route 40 and US 35. It was one of the nation’s first major improved highways.
• Streetcars – Electric streetcars connected Dayton neighborhoods and suburbs from 1888 up through the 1930s. At one point the city had over 90 miles of streetcar tracks.
• Early autos – The first automobiles arrived in Dayton around the turn of the 20th century. This eventually led to more paved roads and highways.
• Suburban growth – Post-WWII growth of suburbs and commuters led to expansion of highways like I-75 and I-70 in the 1950s and 60s.
• Recent projects – Modern projects like the I-75/US 35 interchange renovation in the 2000s and current I-75 widening demonstrate ongoing improvements.

Current and Future Road Projects

To keep up with congestion and modern transportation needs, there are numerous road construction projects happening or planned for Dayton:

• I-75 widening – ODOT has been working to widen I-75 through Dayton to 3 lanes and modernize exits. A major project impacting north-south travel.
• US-35 upgrades – New interchanges, bridges, and lane additions to modernize Route 35 through western Dayton and eliminate congestion.
• Wayne Avenue improvements – Wayne Ave is being converted from one-way to two-way traffic. The $18 million project will take several years.
• Smithville interchange – A new diverging diamond interchange at Smithville Rd and I-675 will improve access to Wright-Patt Air Force Base.
• Downtown Dayton traffic flow – The city is coordinating with ODOT to improve traffic flow downtown by converting more one-way streets to two-way.
• Cincinnati-Dayton corridor – ODOT has proposed constructing a modern highway between Cincinnati and Dayton to better connect the cities and boost economic growth.
• Greater West Dayton Transportation Study – This planning study is looking at multimodal upgrades (roads, transit, bike, ped) to improve connectivity on Dayton’s west side.

Driving Conditions and Considerations

Traffic and Congestion

• Rush hour slowdowns on major highways and arteries like I-75, US 35, Salem Ave.
• Main routes near malls/shopping districts prone to congestion – SR 741 near Dayton Mall, Wilmington Pike.
• Roadwork and construction can lead to lane closures and delays, especially I-75.

Weather Issues

• Heavy snow can make many roads hazardous during winter months. Main routes prioritized for plowing.
• Ice storms lead to slick road conditions. Bridges and overpasses freeze first.
• Heavy rain and thunderstorms can create hydroplaning risk and ponding on some roads.

Other Factors

• Watch for debris on curved sections of roadways, especially in wooded areas.
• Exercise caution in densely developed sections with cars entering roadways from businesses.
• Deer and other wildlife active near farmland and nature preserves surrounding the city.

Navigating Dayton Roadways

Here are some tips for successfully navigating Dayton’s network of roads as a driver:

• Allow extra time for commutes on major routes during morning and evening rush hours. Be alert for slowdowns.
• Keep to main arteries like Salem Ave rather than neighborhood streets if trying to cross town and minimize travel time.
• Use real-time traffic apps like Google Maps and Waze to identify congestion and delays ahead of time. Can help plan alternate routes.
• Get in left lane well before needed exits on highways to avoid dangerous last minute lane changes.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially in residential areas and school zones. Speed enforcement is common.
• Watch carefully for pedestrians when making right turns in downtown and urban neighborhoods.
• If an unfamiliar destination, give yourself extra leeway by planning to arrive 15-20 minutes early.
• In winter weather, increase following distance and reduce speeds. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.

Roadway Safety and Laws in Dayton

All standard roadway laws and best safety practices apply on Dayton streets, including:

• Wearing seatbelts at all times for drivers and passengers
• Obeying speed limits – fines are doubled in school or construction zones
• Not using handheld cell phones or texting while driving – use hands-free options if needed
• Avoiding distractions like eating, applying makeup, programming GPS
• Not driving if impaired by alcohol or drugs or overly fatigued
• Yielding right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Stopping fully at red lights and stop signs
• Using turn signals when changing lanes or turning
• Allowing proper following distance behind other vehicles
• Driving defensively and anticipating other drivers’ actions
• Slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles or disabled cars on the shoulder
• Keeping music volume low enough to hear hazards or emergency vehicles
• Keeping headlights on at night and during inclement weather for visibility
• Not following too closely behind construction vehicles or blocking intersections

Traffic Enforcement in Dayton

The Dayton Police Department and other law enforcement agencies actively enforce traffic laws and safety practices on local roadways. Some things to be aware of:

• Speed traps are common on major corridors like Salem Ave, Route 4, and Needmore Rd
• Running red lights at intersections with cameras may lead to tickets in the mail
• Officers strictly enforce OVI (operating a vehicle impaired) laws – do not drink and drive
• Failure to yield to pedestrians may result in large fines and license points
• School zone speed limits are heavily enforced during arrival and dismissal times
• Using a handheld cell phone or texting while driving is a primary offense – police can pull you over
• Aggressive driving behaviors like unsafe lane changes and tailgating can warrant a stop
• Make sure to update vehicle registration – expired tags may get you pulled over
• Child safety seat and seat belt laws are enforced – buckle up!

Major Bridges and River Crossings

With the Great Miami River flowing through Dayton, bridges are critical structures. Here are some of the major river crossings:

Monument Avenue Bridge

• Links East Dayton to downtown
• Opened in 1913, renovated in 1994
• Stone arched bridge with iconic 4 bronze statues of early automobile makers

Main Street Bridge

• Carries Main St traffic from downtown across the river to West Dayton
• Built in 1997 replacing an earlier structure
• Features decorative lighting and railings with civic designs

Salem Avenue Bridge

• Major bridge on Salem Ave allowing north-south travel
• Opened in 1988 replacing a 1921 truss bridge
• Has had issues with rockslide debris damaging the bridge

I-75 Bridge

• Allows I-75 to cross the river just west of downtown Dayton
• Main north-south highway river crossing
• Part of $200 million highway project finished in 2007

Edwin C. Moses Bridge

• Carries Edwin C. Moses Blvd traffic on the loop around downtown
• Named after Olympic athlete and Dayton native Edwin Moses
• Suspension bridge with large painted pylon towers

West Riverview Bridge

Connecting surface streets in western downtown near Deeds Point MetroPark. Pedestrian access.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridges

• Several dedicated bike/ped bridges such as the League Island footbridge and the Webster Street bridge near Riverscape Metropark. Provide recreational crossing opportunities.

Railroads and Railway Crossings

Though not as prominent as in the past, Dayton still has an active rail network that interfaces with the roadways.

• Main north-south line follows the Great Miami River through downtown Dayton near Route 4
• East-west crossing route along Monument and McPherson Streets
• Norfolk Southern is primary operator of freight and passenger lines
• Amtrak has a station downtown for Chicago-Washington D.C. service
• Passing trains can cause traffic back-ups at railway crossings
• Look carefully for warning lights and oncoming trains before crossing tracks
• Do not stop vehicles or linger on the tracks – if lights start flashing proceed through cautiously

Public Transportation Routes and Bus Lanes

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates an extensive bus network:

• Main transfer point is downtown Dayton Transit Center with 26 routes serving the area
• Major roads like Salem Ave have designated RTA bus lanes during peak periods
• Watch for buses pulling back into traffic after stops – use caution passing stopped buses
• Some intersections have traffic signal priority controls allowing buses to change signals
• RTA buses utilize highway flyer routes along I-75, I-70, and I-675 to quickly connect suburbs
• New zero emissions electric buses rolling out across RTA fleet to replace diesel powered buses through 2025

Traveling to Downtown Dayton

Downtown Dayton is located at the confluence of major highways and roads making it accessible from all sides:

From the North

• I-75 south to I-75/US 35 exit 50B
• N Main St (OH-48) south
• Keowee St or Salam Ave south

From the South

• I-75 north to US 35 exit 50B
• S Main St north
• Brown St, Warren St north

From the East

• US 35 west to I-75 interchange
• E 5th St (OH-4) west
• E 3rd St west

From the West

• US 35 east into downtown
• W 5th St (OH-4) east
• Edwin C. Moses Blvd (Third St) east

Getting Around Downtown

• One-way streets are common downtown – pay attention to directional signage
• Main one-way north-south streets are Jefferson/N Main and S Main/Warren
• E 5th and E 3rd Streets are one-way east roads
• Many traffic lights timed for optimal flow during commute hours
• RTA offers free trolley bus services connecting downtown destinations
• Consider parking in garages/lots if visiting attractions to avoid street parking limits

That covers the major highlights of Dayton, Ohio’s extensive network of roadways. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!