If you are planning a trip from Ironville to Albany, expect a 218-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 19 minutes to complete. This route stays entirely within the Southeast region of Kentucky, making it a straightforward trek that works perfectly as a one-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via Brett Street, Pine Street, and West Donta Road rather than relying on major interstates. With a fuel budget of approximately $32, it is a manageable trip for your wallet. Because the drive is relatively concise, you can easily tackle the distance in a single stretch without needing an overnight stay. It is an ideal option if you prefer local roads over the monotony of high-speed travel.
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
109 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
84.6 mi
1h 30m
KY 90
37.1 mi
49m
I 75
32.1 mi
34m
Cumberland Lake Parkway
18 mi
21m
Boonesboro Road
12.4 mi
15m
Hal Rogers Parkway
5.8 mi
6m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
KY 914
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Albany, KY.
1
Start on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
2
Continue on Brett Street
524 ft·28 sec·Brett Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Pine Street
157 ft·7 sec·Pine Street
4
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
5
Turn right onto KY 766
94 ft·3 sec·KY 766
6
Continue on KY 766
0.3 mi·45 sec·Roberts Drive
7
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
8
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·24 sec·13th Street
9
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
10
Turn right onto US 60
3.6 mi·5 min·US 60
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 64
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 64
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
14
Turn left onto KY 627
0.5 mi·50 sec·Paris Road
15
Continue on KY 627
1.3 mi·2 min·North Maple Street
16
Turn right onto KY 627
1.3 mi·1 min·Boone Avenue
17
Continue on KY 627
12 mi·15 min·Boonesboro Road
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 South
19
Merge onto I 75
32 mi·34 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 62Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
21
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·5 sec
Exit 62Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
22
Merge onto US 25
0.6 mi·49 sec·Richmond Street
23
Turn straight onto KY 461
18 mi·21 min·Cumberland Lake Parkway
Use the straight lane.
24
Merge onto KY 80
5.8 mi·6 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
25
Turn left onto KY 914
1.0 mi·1 min·KY 914
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on KY 914
3.3 mi·3 min·KY 914
27
Turn left onto KY 1247
3.8 mi·4 min·KY 1247
28
Continue on KY 90
37 mi·49 min·KY 90
29
Turn left onto US 127
1.7 mi·2 min·US 127
30
Turn left onto US 127 Business
2.8 mi·4 min·Cross Street
31
Turn left onto KY 350
231 ft·17 sec·Jefferson Street
32
Turn left onto US 127 Business; KY 350
206 ft·5 sec·South Washington Street
33
Turn right onto KY 350
108 ft·2 sec·East Cumberland Street
34
Arrive at destination
KY 350
Trip Plan
Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle to stay within your $32 budget. Because this is a turn-heavy route without highway segments, it is best to depart during daylight hours when visibility is optimal for navigating local streets. You do not need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days, as the 4 hour and 19 minute duration is well-suited for a single-day push. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you switch between Brett Street, Pine Street, and West Donta Road to ensure you stay on track. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so allow yourself extra time to handle the frequent turns comfortably.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 109 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ironville, 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 Ironville, KY
This is one driving day of about 218 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Ironville, 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 84.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 143.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Pine Street
At end of road, turn left onto Pine Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
5
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South
6
143.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
7
143.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.08 one way
$68.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.42
$74.84
premium
$4.89
$41.95
$83.90
diesel
$5.61
$48.13
$96.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Albany, KY
Night
in Albany on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Richmond, KY
109 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
35 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike routes dominated by expansive interstates, this path features zero highway miles, meaning you will spend the entire 218 miles navigating smaller, more localized roads. You will find that there is no long-distance relief here, as the longest uninterrupted stretch on Brett Street is 0 miles. The route relies on a series of transitions between Brett Street, Pine Street, and West Donta Road, creating a technical experience that keeps you engaged. Expect a steady, hands-on driving pace that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed cruising.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and KY 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pine Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 218 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 0.2 miles (Pine Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ironville, KY and Albany, KY, road signs point toward Winchester and Mount Vernon.
Winchester
95.1 mi in|~1h 48m
Mount Vernon
143.3 mi in|~2h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 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 Albany, 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 0.2 miles (Pine Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
