This 128.6-mile journey from Florence, KY to Radcliff, KY is a straightforward drive, typically taking about 2 hours and 3 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-71 South and I-64 West, with a stretch on 9th Street, this route stays within Kentucky, making it a convenient day trip. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. The drive offers a local feel, suggesting you'll encounter more varied road conditions than a pure interstate route. Consider this an easy drive for a quick visit between these two points in the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.8 miles from Florence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
83.6 mi
1h 32m
Dixie Highway
26.7 mi
38m
7th Street Road
2.6 mi
5m
I 64
1.5 mi
1m
US 42
1.3 mi
2m
North Dixie Boulevard
1.3 mi
1m
South 9th Street
1.2 mi
1m
South 7th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 83.6 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, KY and Radcliff, KY.
1
Start on Main Street
28 ft·3 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
1.1 mi·1 min·US 42; US 127
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 42; US 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 42; US 127
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 71; I 75
6.9 mi·7 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 71
77 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 64 West: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 64
1.5 mi·1 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
368 ft·11 sec
Toward 9th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Roy Wilkins Avenue
0.5 mi·54 sec·Roy Wilkins Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on South 9th Street
1.2 mi·1 min·South 9th Street
13
Continue on South 7th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·South 7th Street
14
Continue on KY 1931
2.0 mi·3 min·7th Street Road
15
Continue on US 60 Alternate
0.6 mi·1 min·7th Street Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight left onto US 31W; US 60
27 mi·38 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 31W
1.3 mi·1 min·North Dixie Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Elm Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Road
19
Arrive at destination
Elm Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and 128.6-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can easily depart Florence in the morning and arrive in Radcliff with plenty of time to spare. With a fuel cost of approximately $20, keep an eye on your gauge, especially as there are no designated long stretches without potential refueling points. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive,' plan for a slightly longer travel time than a pure interstate route might suggest, and be prepared for frequent turns. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the busiest local traffic.
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 60.8 miles from Florence, KY, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Radcliff, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, KY
This is one driving day of about 121.7 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Florence, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 83.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 87.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louis...
7
8.6 mi into trip|~10m 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
7
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
8
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue
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 4
Toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue
7
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 9th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 9th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.03 one way
$38.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.89
$41.78
premium
$4.89
$23.42
$46.84
diesel
$5.61
$26.87
$53.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Florence, KY - Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Florence, KY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Jeffersonville Town Center - Tesla Supercharger
Jeffersonville, IN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Louisville, KY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Sullivan University - 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 $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
EV Truck/SUV
48.7
0
$17.04
$7.79
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Florence, KY
Late night
in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Radcliff, KY
Late night
in Radcliff on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°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
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 29m 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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 121.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of roads that require more frequent adjustments rather than long stretches of consistent cruising. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a dynamic driving experience. You'll likely transition through various local road conditions as you make your way from Florence to Radcliff. This type of drive often provides a more intimate connection with the landscape and communities you pass through.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Dixie Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 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 12 significant decision points across 121.7 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Florence is a city of 33,000 people (2019) in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region, near Cincinnati. Florence is well known in surrounding cities for a water tower visible from I-71/I-75 that reads "Florence Y'all".
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 121.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.6 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 Radcliff, 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Radcliff, KY before heading back.
