Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
23m
Distance
13.3 mi
21 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairdale, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Louisville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick commute or a simple day trip, the 13.3-mile journey from Fairdale to Louisville is a straightforward endeavor. Expect to spend about 23 minutes on the road, making this a highly efficient transit within the Southeast region. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is an incredibly economical trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Kentucky Turnpike, Grade Lane, and National Turnpike to navigate between these two Kentucky locations. Since the entire route is contained within the state, you can plan this excursion with minimal logistical stress. It serves as a practical, no-frills connection between these points, perfect for when you need to get from the outskirts into the heart of the city.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Turnpike | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| Grade Lane | 2 mi | 4m |
| National Turnpike | 1 mi | 1m |
| Fern Valley Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Fairdale Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Outer Loop | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Muhammad Ali Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South 5th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fairdale, KY and Louisville, KY.
Start on this road
Continue
Continue on Fairdale Road
Turn left onto KY 1020
Turn right onto KY 1065
Turn left onto Grade Lane
Turn right onto KY 1747
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Continue on South Brook Street
Turn left onto West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Turn right onto South 5th Street
Turn left onto West Jefferson Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 12.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Grade Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto KY 1747 / Fern Valley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Brook Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$2.08 one way
$4.16 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.28 | $4.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.94 | $5.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Tolls
$1
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fairdale on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Louisville on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that balances suburban transit with faster segments. You will spend about 58% of your time on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the 13.3-mile distance. A significant portion of your travel includes a 6.7-mile stretch on the Kentucky Turnpike, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the journey. The experience transitions from the local feel of National Turnpike and Grade Lane into the more direct highway flow. Expect a functional, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic winding roads, keeping you focused on the road ahead for the duration of your 23-minute transit.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near Grade Lane.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (Grade Lane): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (KY 1747 / Fern Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is known for the Kentucky Derby horserace and as the "gateway to the south" from southern Indiana. It's a lively mid-sized city with an excellent dining scene, ample opportunities for bourbon tasting, and interesting public art. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball — the Louisville Slugger.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 13.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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