Origin
Elizabethtown, KY
Late night in Elizabethtown on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabethtown, KY to Alexandria, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
140.3 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethtown, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
Elizabethtown to Alexandria is 140.3 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 65 and I 71, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. It's a straightforward trip that will have you arriving at your destination with plenty of time to spare, making it ideal for a single-day journey. You'll find the route to be primarily highway driving, so pack your favorite road trip snacks and playlist for a smooth ride.
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
70.1 miles from Elizabethtown, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 71 mi | 1h 16m |
| I 65 | 35.2 mi | 38m |
| Henry Watterson Expressway | 10 mi | 13m |
| Walton Nicholson Pike | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Visalia Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| KY 536 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| North Mulberry Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Taylor Mill Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 71 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, KY and Alexandria, KY.
1
Start on US 62; KY 61
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Mulberry Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
3
Merge onto I 65
35 mi
·
38 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 264
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 77
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 171
Toward KY 14, KY 16: Walton, Verona
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto KY 14; KY 16
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Mary Grubbs Highway
13
Turn left onto School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
School Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Stephenson Mill Road
15
Continue on Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Beaver Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 25; KY 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
17
Continue on US 25; KY 16
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Dixie Highway
18
Turn left onto KY 16
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Walton Nicholson Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on KY 16
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Walton Nicholson Pike
20
Continue on KY 16
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Taylor Mill Road
21
Turn right onto KY 536
398 ft
·
8 sec
·
Maverick Road
22
Turn right onto KY 536
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Staffordsburg Road
23
Turn left onto KY 536
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Visalia Road
24
Turn left onto KY 177; KY 536
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Decoursey Pike
25
Turn right onto KY 536
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
KY 536
26
Turn left onto KY 915
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Licking Pike
Use the left lane.
27
Turn straight onto KY 10
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
KY 10
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto Washington Street
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
Washington Street
29
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 2 hours and 50 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart anytime that suits your schedule. With only one recommended stop and a total of 140.3 miles, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of I 71, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $22, so plan accordingly before you hit the road.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.1 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 31 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY
This is one driving day of about 140.3 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Elizabethtown, 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 71 for about 71 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.1 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 37.6 and 121.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
37.6 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
38.3 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
49.1 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
120.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
8
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward KY 14, KY 16: Walton, Verona
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 171
Toward KY 14, KY 16: Walton, Verona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.93 one way
$43.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.08 | $48.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.98 | $61.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.28 | $5.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.64 | $8.98 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Alexandria, KY
Late night in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Warsaw, KY
70 mi in
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
1 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 50m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 86% of it on interstates. Expect a significant portion of your journey, specifically 71 miles, to be on I 71 without interruption. The drive begins on I 65, transitioning to the Henry Watterson Expressway before settling onto I 71 for the longest stretch. You'll experience the efficiency of interstate travel for most of the 140.3 miles, making it a quick and direct trip.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 140.3 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 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Between Elizabethtown, KY and Alexandria, KY, road signs point toward Airport and Verona.
Airport
37.6 mi in
|
~42m
Verona
121.4 mi in
|
~2h 16m
About the Cities
Starting in Elizabethtown, KY
Full guide →Elizabethtown is a small town in the Kentucky Derby Region. Abraham Lincoln's parents Thomas and Nancy had their daughter Sarah here in 1807 and then Abraham nearby at Sinking Spring Farm in 1809.
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 2h 50m. Total distance: 140.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 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 Alexandria, 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 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alexandria, KY before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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