Guthrie, KY to Ironville, KY is 322.3 miles and takes about 6h 12m via I 64 and I 65, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 80% of the drive on major highways, you'll experience a fairly direct and efficient transit. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss, allowing you to cover significant ground in a single day. Plan for a comfortable travel day that won't feel rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.2 miles from Guthrie, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Interstate Highway 65
71.9 mi
1h 17m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
Russellville Road
16.9 mi
22m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
Clarksville Road
11 mi
16m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
I 165
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,316 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,886
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guthrie, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on US 41
0.9 mi·1 min·Ewing Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 79
8.9 mi·13 min·Russellville Road
3
Continue on US 79
11 mi·15 min·Clarksville Road
4
Continue on US 79
0.1 mi·13 sec·West 9th Street
5
Continue on Clarksville Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Clarksville Road
6
Continue on West 9th Street
1.8 mi·2 min·West 9th Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
8
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
9
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
10
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.0 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 165 South
12
Merge onto I 165
4.8 mi·5 min·I 165
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 1AToward I 65 North: Louisville
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
15
Merge onto I 65
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
19
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
20
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
22
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
24
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
25
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
26
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
29
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
30
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
31
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
32
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
33
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
34
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
35
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
36
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
37
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
38
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 12m estimated drive time, leaving Guthrie, KY in the morning should allow you to reach Ironville, KY with plenty of daylight to spare. This is a one-day trip, so you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch between services is 101.8 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on I 64. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a quick stretch or snack around the midway point to stay refreshed. Budgeting around $49 for fuel is a good starting point for planning.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Guthrie, KY, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 71 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Guthrie, 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 Guthrie, KY
This is one driving day of about 322.3 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Guthrie, 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 64 for about 101.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 211.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 79 / Russellville Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 79 / Russellville Road
Navigation decision point
5
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
8
124.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
6
209.3 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
211.4 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|I 64
Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.60 one way
$95.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.55
$105.09
premium
$4.72
$59.84
$119.68
diesel
$4.80
$60.86
$121.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.84
$15.47
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.20
$12.89
EV Truck/SUV
128.9
1
$45.12
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Guthrie, KY
Evening
in Guthrie on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 to 7 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Ironville, KY
Night
in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Patchy Smoke then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
6h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 77.8
Park Closure: Elevator for Accessible Tour Out of Service
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 133.4
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 200.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 80% of this 322.3-mile trip on major highways like I 64 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 101.8 miles, likely on I 64, before you transition to surface roads. Expect a mostly highway profile, so be prepared for higher speeds and potentially more frequent exits as you approach towns or junctions. The Bluegrass Parkway offers a change of pace from the interstates.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Interstate Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 79 / Russellville Road.
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 23 significant decision points across 322.3 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 0.9 miles (US 79 / Russellville Road): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,091 ft506 ft
Total Climb
1,230 ft
Total Descent
1,066 ft
Highest Point
1,091 ft
~276.3 mi in
Elevation Range
585 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Guthrie, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 322.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Ironville, 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 0.9 miles (US 79 / Russellville Road): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ironville, KY before the return drive.
