Oldham County (Crestwood) Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bowling Green, KY to Francisville, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
209 mi
336 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bowling Green, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Francisville, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
Bowling Green, KY to Francisville, KY is 209 miles and takes about 3h 58m via Chestnut Street, East 7th Avenue, Fairview Avenue, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and entirely within Kentucky. With no highway driving, expect a more leisurely pace as you navigate local roads. This route is best for those who prefer to see more of the landscape and less of the interstate.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.5 miles from Bowling Green, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate Highway 65 | 103.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 71 | 79.9 mi | 1h 26m |
| Henry Watterson Expressway | 10 mi | 13m |
| North Bend Road | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Burlington Pike | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Fairview Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Cemetery Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Interstate Highway 65
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,214 veh/hr typical · worst 2,803
Quietest
2 AM
~359 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 78 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green, KY and Francisville, KY.
1
Start on this road
321 ft
·
28 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
3
Turn right onto KY 234
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
East 7th Avenue
4
Continue on KY 234
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairview Avenue
5
Continue on KY 234
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Cemetery Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
7
Merge onto I 65
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 264
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 71
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 181
Toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto KY 18
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Burlington Pike
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
Toward KY 237: Union, Hebron
17
Keep slight right at fork
306 ft
·
11 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on KY 237
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
North Bend Road
Use the left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto KY 237
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Bend Road
20
Continue on KY 237
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Bend Road
21
Enter roundabout onto KY 237
112 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Bend Road
22
Continue on KY 237
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Bend Road
23
Arrive at destination
KY 237
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 58 minute duration, departing Bowling Green in the morning will comfortably get you to Francisville before evening. With only one recommended stop and no long highway stretches, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33, and it's wise to top off before you leave or when you see a good opportunity, especially since you won't be relying on highway service areas. The lack of highway means you'll be passing through more towns, so be mindful of speed limits.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.5 miles from Bowling Green, KY, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Francisville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bowling Green, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bowling Green, KY
This is one driving day of about 209 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Bowling Green, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Interstate Highway 65 for about 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.5 miles from Bowling Green, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Interstate Highway 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Hart County (Horse County) Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Boone County (Florence) Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Oldham County (Crestwood) Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hart County (Horse County) Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Boone County (Florence) Welcome Center Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bullitt County Welcome Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 107.5 and 199.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
107.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
8
108.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
8
119 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
190.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
199.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 181
Toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.86 one way
$69.73 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $37.89 | $75.78 |
| premium | $5.26 | $43.27 | $86.55 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $50.84 | $101.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.03 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.29 | $8.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.26 | $13.38 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Bowling Green, KY
Morning in Bowling Green on Monday
Local time
8:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
E 3 to 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 1:40AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Destination
Francisville, KY
Morning in Francisville on Monday
Local time
9:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 1:40AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 28.8
Park Closure: Green River Ferry Temporarily Out of Service
Park Closure: Elevator for Accessible Tour Out of Service
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 64.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on surface roads for the entire 209 miles, with 0% highway share. This means you'll likely encounter more traffic signals and local intersections. Expect a consistent driving experience without major shifts from highway to local roads. The route does not feature a longest stretch of uninterrupted driving, suggesting frequent opportunities for breaks or navigation adjustments.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Interstate Highway 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Interstate Highway 65 and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 209 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 107.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft
464 ft
Total Climb
791 ft
Total Descent
503 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~194.1 mi in
Elevation Range
464 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bowling Green, KY to Francisville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
107.5 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Bowling Green, KY
Full guide →Founded 1798
Bowling Green is the third-largest city in Kentucky, with nearly 60,000 residents. Bowling Green is the hub of activity in the Caves and Lakes region.
Top landmarks
- • National Corvette Museum — tourist attraction in Bowling Green, Kentucky
- • Lost River Cave — cave system in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States
- • The Historic Railpark and Train Museum — former railway station in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Arriving in Francisville, KY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 209 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.7 miles on Interstate Highway 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Francisville, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Mammoth Cave National Park and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Francisville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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