Day 5 – July 9: Crossing Four States to Dayton

📍 Where We Went

Today was a true travel day as we left Missouri and journeyed through Illinois, Indiana, and finally into Ohio. Our route took us south of Indianapolis, avoiding city traffic while still getting great views of the heartland.

Weather: Cloudy skies in Missouri, with scattered thunderstorms as we moved through Indiana and into Ohio

Estimated Drive Time: 6 hrs 45 min

📸 Daily Highlight



📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 5

🙏 Highlights of the Day

  • Leaving TownePlace Suites in Chesterfield, MO after breakfast
  • Driving through four states in one day!
  • Skirting the edge of Indianapolis and crossing into eastern time
  • Arriving at SpringHill Suites Dayton Vandalia for a quiet evening and a chance to recharge
  • We had a hard time finding signs for each state to take a photo in front of!

✏️ Reflections

  • Which state felt the most different from the others?
  • What helped you pass the time during the long drive?
  • Did you notice anything interesting as we changed landscapes?

🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt

If you could teleport to any stop on this trip instantly, which one would you pick and why?

🫵 Challenge to the Reader

How many U.S. states have you driven through in a single day? Can you beat four? Share your road trip record in the comments!

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