Traveling from Fort Thomas to Radcliff covers 137.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly excursion across the Southeast region of Kentucky. You will navigate a variety of local roads, including Tremont Avenue, South Grand Avenue, and I-471 North. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this route offers a straightforward path between these two points in the Bluegrass State.
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
68.9 miles from Fort Thomas, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.8 mi
1h 24m
Dixie Highway
26.7 mi
38m
US 50
20.6 mi
25m
7th Street Road
2.6 mi
5m
I 471
1.7 mi
1m
I 64
1.5 mi
1m
North Dixie Boulevard
1.3 mi
1m
South Grand Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Thomas, KY and Radcliff, KY.
1
Start on KY 1120
346 ft·12 sec·South Fort Thomas Avenue
2
Turn right onto Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Tremont Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1892
1.3 mi·2 min·South Grand Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 471 North
5
Merge onto I 471
1.7 mi·1 min·I 471
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 6AToward US 50, I 71 South: Third Street, Columbia ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 50 West, I 71 South: Third StreetUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 50
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 50
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 50
20 mi·25 min·US 50
Toward US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 64 West: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 64
1.5 mi·1 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
368 ft·11 sec
Toward 9th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Roy Wilkins Avenue
0.5 mi·54 sec·Roy Wilkins Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on South 9th Street
1.2 mi·1 min·South 9th Street
17
Continue on South 7th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·South 7th Street
18
Continue on KY 1931
2.0 mi·3 min·7th Street Road
19
Continue on US 60 Alternate
0.6 mi·1 min·7th Street Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn slight left onto US 31W; US 60
27 mi·38 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 31W
1.3 mi·1 min·North Dixie Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Elm Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Road
23
Arrive at destination
Elm Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the nearly three-hour drive, as the constant turns can be more fatiguing than a straight highway haul. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $21 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local stops. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, ensure your GPS is mounted securely so you can easily follow navigation cues along the local streets. Embracing the slower pace of these local roads allows you to enjoy the transition between these two Kentucky communities without the pressure of a rigid highway timeline.
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 68.9 miles from Fort Thomas, KY, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.8 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 22m 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 17m
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 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 137.8 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Fort Thomas, 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 76.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 103.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward US 50, I 71 South: Third Street, Columbi...
9
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in
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
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 50 West, I 71 South: Third Street
8
4.4 mi into trip|~8m in|US 50
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 50 West, I 71 South, I 75 South
7
24.8 mi into trip|~33m 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
8
103.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.54 one way
$43.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.65
$47.31
premium
$4.89
$26.52
$53.04
diesel
$5.61
$30.42
$60.85
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: 48.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.3
0
$14.47
$6.61
Efficient EV
34.5
0
$12.06
$5.51
EV Truck/SUV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
Gas CO2
48 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Thomas, KY
Late night
in Fort Thomas on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Radcliff, KY
Late night
in Radcliff on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
19 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 52m 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 137.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this journey features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local surface streets rather than cruising on open freeways. The road profile is technical and requires frequent adjustments, so do not expect long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed driving. As you progress from the Fort Thomas area toward Radcliff, the character of the road remains consistent in its demand for careful navigation. You will find this trip requires more active steering effort compared to a standard highway-heavy commute.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.8 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 137.8 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 137.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.8 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. 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 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.
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.
