This 373.2-mile drive from Hendron, KY to Ironville, KY will take approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it navigates through local roads, focusing on Felix Avenue, Old Mayfield Road, and Elmdale Road. With no highway travel, expect a more involved driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $57. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel. It's a straightforward trip, perfect for those who prefer a direct route without the complexities of major interstate navigation.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.2 miles from Hendron, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
38.3 mi
41m
I 24
34 mi
36m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hendron, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on At Massa Drive
305 ft·14 sec·At Massa Drive
2
Turn right onto Felix Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Felix Avenue
3
Turn left onto KY 994
0.5 mi·57 sec·Old Mayfield Road
4
Turn left onto Elmdale Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Elmdale Road
5
Turn right
0.4 mi·1 min
6
Turn left onto US 45
0.3 mi·45 sec·Lone Oak Road
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Nashville
8
Merge onto I 24
34 mi·36 min·I 24
9
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
14
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
18
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
19
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
21
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
23
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
24
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
25
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
28
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
29
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
30
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
31
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
32
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
33
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
34
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
35
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
36
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
37
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 50-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 373.2-mile route, starting early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential fatigue. While it's a single-day trip, consider breaking up the journey with one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The $57 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially on local roads where gas stations might be less frequent. A key tip for this drive is to have your navigation set to 'avoid highways' and be prepared for a steady stream of turns rather than long, straight stretches.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.2 miles from Hendron, KY, or about 3h 27m 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 82 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.2 miles or 3h 27m 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 50m
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 Hendron, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hendron, KY
This is one driving day of about 374.4 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Hendron, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 263.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn left toward Nashville
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward Nashville
8
74.8 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
176.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
8
263.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
$58.53 one way
$117.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$64.27
$128.53
premium
$4.89
$72.05
$144.10
diesel
$5.61
$82.66
$165.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.3
1
$39.31
$17.97
Efficient EV
93.6
1
$32.76
$14.98
EV Truck/SUV
149.8
1
$52.42
$23.96
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Hendron, KY
Evening
in Hendron on Saturday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ironville, KY
Night
in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
31 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
7h 2m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 180.8
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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 245.3
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 142
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by frequent turns, presenting a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With 0% highway share, you'll be navigating predominantly on local roads like Felix Avenue, Old Mayfield Road, and Elmdale Road for the entire 373.2 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, suggesting a continuous series of turns and directional changes. This means you'll need to stay engaged behind the wheel, as the road constantly requires your attention to navigate the various intersections and local pathways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 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 28 significant decision points across 374.4 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 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 74.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hendron, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Princeton
36.5 mi in|~43m|via I 69
Elizabethtown
75.2 mi in|~1h 25m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
174.1 mi in|~3h 11m
Lexington
176.4 mi in|~3h 15m
Bardstown
176.4 mi in|~3h 15m
Ashland
261.3 mi in|~4h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 374.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 74.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
