Cave City to Ironville is 240.2 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 65, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 64, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, transitioning from the Southeast region to a different part of the Southeast. With 92% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a largely uninterrupted cruise. It's a solid option for a single-day trip when you want to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.1 miles from Cave City, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 65
40.4 mi
43m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
US 60
4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~645 veh/hr typical
· worst 968
Quietest
2 AM
~56 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Cave City, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on KY 70
0.2 mi·22 sec·Broadway Street
2
Continue on KY 70
1.1 mi·2 min·Mammoth Cave Street
3
Turn right onto KY 70
0.1 mi·15 sec·KY 70
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
40 mi·43 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
9
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
10
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
12
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
14
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
15
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
16
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
19
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
20
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
21
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
22
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
23
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
24
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
25
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
26
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
27
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 33-minute estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices and plan for at least one fuel stop, especially before the 101.8-mile stretch on I 64. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 120.1 miles from Cave City, KY, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 53 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 12m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cave City, 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 Cave City, KY
This is one driving day of about 240.2 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cave City, 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 I 64 for about 101.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 129.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
42.1 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
6
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|I 64
Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.47 one way
$70.94 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.16
$78.32
premium
$4.72
$44.60
$89.20
diesel
$4.80
$45.35
$90.71
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: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cave City, KY
Late night
in Cave City on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 to 8 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 8 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 33m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 49.7
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...
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 115.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 92% of this 240.2-mile drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on I 65, the Bluegrass Parkway, and I 64. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I 64. Expect a significant amount of exit and entry activity on the interstate portions, with more rural cruising as you transition to the parkway.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 240.2 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 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 1.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,010 ft454 ft
Total Climb
876 ft
Total Descent
803 ft
Highest Point
1,010 ft
~154.4 mi in
Elevation Range
556 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cave City, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Cave City is a city in Kentucky's Caves and Lakes region. It is the main gateway city for Mammoth Cave National Park and its economy is largely based on tourism related to the national park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Ironville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 1.8 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Mammoth Cave National Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
