O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar
Near the start, right off the route
Florence, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18595256622
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
103.4 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Thomas, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Jeffersontown, KY
Wikimedia Commons
This 107.3-mile drive from Fort Thomas to Jeffersontown, Kentucky, is a manageable 1-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing local roads like Tremont Avenue and South Grand Avenue, with a portion on I-471 North, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Southeast region of Kentucky. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $16. Given its relatively short duration and the absence of long, uninterrupted stretches, it's ideal for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This drive is best suited for those who prefer navigating local streets over extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.7 miles from Fort Thomas, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 62.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 50 | 20.6 mi | 25m |
| Gene Snyder Freeway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Taylorsville Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| La Grange Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 471 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| KY 329 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Grand Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thomas, KY and Jeffersontown, KY.
Start on KY 1120
Turn right onto Tremont Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1892
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 471
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 50
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
Take the exit onto I 71
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto KY 329
Turn right onto KY 329
Turn left onto KY 22
Turn right onto KY 329
Turn right onto KY 146
Continue on KY 146
Continue on KY 146
Continue on KY 146
Turn left
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto KY 155
Turn right onto Neal Drive
Turn left
Arrive at destination
For this 1 hour and 48-minute drive, consider departing earlier in the day to avoid any potential local traffic, especially since it's a turn-heavy route. With 0 stops recommended and no particularly long stretches, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. The estimated fuel cost of $16 is quite reasonable, so you shouldn't need to worry about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between local roads and I-471 North to ensure you stay on track for your 107.3-mile journey to Jeffersontown.
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.
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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.7 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jeffersontown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fort Thomas, 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 Fort Thomas, KY
This is one driving day of about 103.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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.
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 51.7 miles from Fort Thomas, 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 62.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Florence, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18595256622
Bouquet Restaurant
Covington, Kentucky
Riverside Korean Restaurant
Covington, Kentucky
Top Coffee Stop
Park Hills, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+18592614939
Velocity Bike & Bean
Florence, Kentucky
Lola's Coffee + Bar
Cincinnati, Ohio
Near the start, right off the route
Florence, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18595256622
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18594917777
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+18592911484
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+18599056800
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Florence, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+18598170555
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fort Wright, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+18593318359
Near the end, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15023844834
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Florence, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+18597461199
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Park Hills, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+18592614939
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Florence, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+18593718356
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+15133812141
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ludlow, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–12 pm
+18593412928
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15137212233
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm
+15024096762
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+15133833000
Near the end, right off the route
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+15026324455
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 100.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 50, I 71 South: Third Street, Columbia Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 50 West, I 71 South: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50 toward US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Jeffersontown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$16.17 one way
$32.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.75 | $35.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.90 | $39.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.83 | $45.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.96 |
| Efficient EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.05 | $4.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.48 | $6.62 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fort Thomas on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Jeffersontown on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
74°F
Warsaw, KY
52 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the majority of this 107.3-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll navigate through city streets and local avenues, such as Tremont Avenue and South Grand Avenue, before merging onto I-471 North for a segment. The character of the drive is defined by frequent changes in direction rather than long, straightaways. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted that would suggest extended periods of continuous driving on a single road type, meaning you'll be actively engaged with the road from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and US 50. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 103.4 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.4 miles (US 50): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Thomas, KY to Jeffersontown, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Pewee Valley along the way.
Pewee Valley
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 103.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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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