Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 88; Flight Crew Total 565; Flight Crew Type 320
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Established in cruise flight headed west at 8;500 MSL 20 nm east of ZZZ VOR. Had a Cessna fly over us within 50 ft. above us headed east bound not climbing or descending. As soon as conflict happened I (instructor) nosed over to lose altitude to maximize what distance away from the plane as we can.
Flight instructor reported a near-miss during cruise with a Cessna just above them heading in the opposite direction.