Take a quick but dynamic ride through the heart of Dayton, Ohio, as we follow U.S. Route 35 eastbound from the Drexel neighborhood to its interchange with Interstate 75. Though only five miles long, this segment showcases the transition from surface-level road to high-speed expressway, threading through the west side of Dayton and ultimately delivering us to the doorstep of downtown.
We begin at the intersection with SR-49 in Drexel, where U.S. 35 functions as a divided highway with several at-grade intersections. Early in the route, we pass the signal at Liscom Drive, offering access to the Dayton VA Medical Center, one of the region’s major veteran health facilities. Soon after, we encounter the controlled junction at Gettysburg Avenue—often mistaken as the start of the freeway. However, one more stoplight remains just ahead at Abbey Avenue, marking the true end of the surface-level section.
Only after Abbey Avenue does U.S. 35 transform into a fully controlled-access freeway. The change is immediate: traffic merges in from ramps instead of intersections, and noise barriers begin to flank the roadway. The interchange with James H. McGee Boulevard is our next key landmark—a vital connector to west Dayton and a tribute to the city’s first Black city commissioner. From this point forward, the drive becomes a smooth, uninterrupted urban expressway.
As we near downtown, the highway takes a dramatic dip. Rather than rising toward the skyline, U.S. 35 descends into a sunken trench as it approaches the complex interchange with Interstate 75. Surrounded by concrete retaining walls and overpasses, this multi-level junction channels traffic toward Cincinnati, Toledo, and the broader Dayton metro area. Our journey ends here, at the heart of the city’s freeway network. Despite its short length, this stretch of U.S. 35 plays an outsized role in regional mobility—showcasing Dayton’s layered infrastructure and the evolution of its urban design.
🗺️ Route Map
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