Covington, KY to Taylorsville, KY is 110 miles and takes about 2h 9m via I 71 and Taylorsville Road, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find it's a practical route with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55 miles from Covington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
79.4 mi
1h 27m
Taylorsville Road
11.5 mi
13m
Gene Snyder Freeway
6.6 mi
7m
Taylorsville Lake Road
4.2 mi
4m
La Grange Road
2.5 mi
3m
KY 329
1.6 mi
2m
Lagrange Road
1.2 mi
1m
East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington, KY and Taylorsville, KY.
1
Start on East 7th Street
12 ft·4 sec·East 7th Street
2
Turn right onto KY 17
0.4 mi·1 min·Scott Boulevard
3
Turn right onto KY 1120
0.7 mi·1 min·East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on KY 1120
203 ft·13 sec·West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South
6
Merge onto I 71; I 75
17 mi·20 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 71
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 14Toward KY 329: Crestwood, Pewee Valley
9
At end of road, turn left onto KY 329
0.4 mi·35 sec·Halls Hill Road
10
Turn right onto KY 329
1.6 mi·2 min·KY 329
11
Turn left onto KY 22
78 ft·4 sec·Ballardsville Road
12
Turn right onto KY 329
473 ft·13 sec·Railroad Avenue
13
Turn right onto KY 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Lagrange Road
14
Continue on KY 146
0.9 mi·1 min·La Grange Road
15
Continue on KY 146
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lagrange Road
16
Continue on KY 146
1.5 mi·2 min·La Grange Road
17
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 265 South, KY 841 South
18
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
6.6 mi·7 min·Gene Snyder Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 23Toward KY 155: Taylorsville, JeffersontownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
296 ft·8 sec
Toward Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville, FishervilleUse the left lane.
21
Merge onto KY 155
1.9 mi·2 min·Taylorsville Road
22
Turn straight onto KY 155; KY 1531
4.2 mi·4 min·Taylorsville Lake Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on KY 155
9.6 mi·11 min·Taylorsville Road
24
At end of road, turn right onto KY 44; KY 55
317 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
25
Turn right
41 ft·3 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 9m duration and 110-mile distance, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You can depart any time of day without feeling rushed, but leaving in the morning allows for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a major road change is 79.4 miles on I 71, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too far into that segment. With only 0 planned stops, you can choose to be flexible or make an impromptu stop if needed. The estimated fuel cost is around $17, so keep that in mind for your budget.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55 miles from Covington, KY, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Taylorsville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Covington, 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 Covington, KY
This is one driving day of about 110 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Covington, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 79.4 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 1.1 and 94.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 71 South, I 75 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South
7
18.8 mi into trip|~24m in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 173
Toward I 71 South: Louisville
6
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward KY 329: Crestwood, Pewee Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 14
Toward KY 329: Crestwood, Pewee Valley
8
93.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward KY 155: Taylorsville, Jeffersontown
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 23
Toward KY 155: Taylorsville, Jeffersontown
9
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville, Fisherville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsvil...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.20 one way
$34.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.88
$37.76
premium
$4.89
$21.17
$42.34
diesel
$5.61
$24.29
$48.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
11 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Florence, KY - Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Florence, KY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Valley Plaza Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Mitchell, KY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Louisville, KY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer #164 Louisville Town Center(Louisville, KY)
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33
0
$11.55
$5.28
Efficient EV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
EV Truck/SUV
44
0
$15.40
$7.04
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Covington, KY
Morning
in Covington on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Taylorsville, KY
Morning
in Taylorsville on Sunday
Local time
10:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 71 and the Gene Snyder Freeway. You'll experience a solid stretch of 79.4 miles on I 71, offering a consistent pace. As you approach Taylorsville, the roads will transition, incorporating Taylorsville Road, which offers a slight change from the interstate feel. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficiency and ease, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained highways.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Taylorsville Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 110 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 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Covington, KY and Taylorsville, KY, road signs point toward Pewee Valley, Jeffersontown, Taylorsville Lake State Park and Fisherville.
Covington is a city in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the largest city in Northern Kentucky.
Covington is pretty much the southern side of Cincinnati, with similar architecture (though far better preserved if not in the best of shape) and a shared history linked by the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River. Like its eastern neighbor, Newport, it has profited from revitalization.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 110 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Taylorsville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Taylorsville, KY before heading back.
