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Trip from Ironville, KY to Bardstown, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

175.3 mi

282 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village and civil parish in Amber Valley district, Derbyshire, England, UK

Ironville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bardstown, KY, KY

Bardstown, KY

Brady Wilson

Trip Overview

This 175.3-mile journey from Ironville, KY to Bardstown, KY is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, including Brett Street, Pine Street, and West Donta Road, with no significant highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $27. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace and potential for spontaneous stops. Both Ironville and Bardstown are located within Kentucky's Southeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout your drive.

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

87.6 miles from Ironville, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 101.7 mi 1h 50m
Bluegrass Parkway 46.2 mi 49m
West New Circle Road 5.8 mi 8m
US Route 60 4.6 mi 7m
Versailles Road 4.5 mi 6m
US 60 3.6 mi 5m
Springfield Road 1.4 mi 2m
Lexington Road 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Bardstown, 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

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 64
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

2.4 mi · 3 min · I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto US 27; US 68

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Broadway
16

Turn right onto US KY4

5.8 mi · 8 min · West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto US 60

4.5 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on US 60

1.3 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road
20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
21

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

46 mi · 49 min · Bluegrass Parkway
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward Bardstown
23

Merge onto US 150; US 31E Truck

1.4 mi · 2 min · Springfield Road
24

Continue on US 150

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Stephen Foster Avenue
25

Enter roundabout onto US 31E; US 62; US 150

201 ft · 3 sec · Court Square
26

Arrive at destination

US 31E; US 62; US 150

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 3 hours and 23 minutes, this 175.3-mile drive from Ironville to Bardstown is easily accomplishable in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination. Since there's a 0% highway share, you'll be on local roads for the entire trip, so be mindful of posted speed limits and potential for frequent turns. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Ironville to avoid unnecessary detours for gas.

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 87.6 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 39 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bardstown, 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 175.3 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 101.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Jeffersonville, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jeffersonville, KY

88 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Grayson, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Owingsville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.6 miles from Ironville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Kreso's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bardstown, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 175.3

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+15023489594

Toogie's Table

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bardstown, Kentucky

0.5 mi

El Patron Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bardstown, Kentucky

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bardstown, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 175.3

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.8 mi

Kreso's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+15023489594

Toogie's Table

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15022750891

Visit website

El Patron Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023490406

Visit website

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15023488088

Visit website

Mi Lindo Cuernavaca tienda taqueria

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15023316034

Visit website

Huddle House

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15023497540

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15023501333

Visit website

Wings and Rings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023491963

Visit website

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 175.3

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

Shortcrust Coffee and Pastry Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 162.7

Bloomfield, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15028275990

Visit website

The Amsden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.2

Versailles, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18594232969

Visit website

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16063298888

Visit website

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 0.2 and 119.6 — 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

6
109.8 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cinci...
8
112.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington

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 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
5
113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | US KY4 / West New Circle Road

Turn right onto US KY4 / West New Circle Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.41 one way

$54.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.09 $60.18
premium $4.89 $33.73 $67.47
diesel $5.61 $38.70 $77.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.6 0 $18.41 $8.41
Efficient EV 43.8 0 $15.34 $7.01
EV Truck/SUV 70.1 0 $24.54 $11.22

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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

Ironville, KY

Late night in Ironville on Sunday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bardstown, KY

Late night in Bardstown on Sunday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Jeffersonville, KY

88 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

28 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

3h 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 175.3-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be interacting with local roads like Brett Street, Pine Street, and West Donta Road for the full 3 hours and 23 minutes. Without long highway stretches, the journey offers a continuous engagement with the landscape and community as you make your way from Ironville to Bardstown. The character of the drive remains consistent, focusing on navigating smaller roadways rather than covering long distances at high speeds.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.7 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pine Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 175.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 109.8 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.2 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 Ironville, KY and Bardstown, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington and Elizabethtown.

Cincinnati

109.8 mi in | ~2h 4m | via I 64

Lexington

112.2 mi in | ~2h 8m

Elizabethtown

125.8 mi in | ~2h 28m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 175.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.7 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 Bardstown, 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 109.8 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bardstown, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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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