Ironville, KY to Beaver Dam, KY is 264.9 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Kentucky, making it a straightforward journey. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day road trip. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained parkways and interstates, so pack some good tunes and settle in for a consistent drive. It's a practical route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
132.4 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.7 mi
1h 50m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway
61.4 mi
1h 5m
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
US Highway 231
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Beaver Dam, 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 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse 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 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse 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
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
23
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
27
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 75Toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam
29
Turn right onto US 231
2.6 mi·3 min·US Highway 231
30
Continue on US 231
0.6 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 231
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of just over 5 hours, this is definitely a one-day trip, so you can afford to leave a bit later in the morning. The route is designed for efficiency, with just one recommended stop likely needed to break up the 264.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 101.7-mile stretch on I 64, as services might be less frequent than on smaller roads. Given the $41 fuel cost estimate, it’s wise to fill up before you hit the road. Consider making your single stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and grab a snack before completing the drive to Beaver Dam.
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 132.4 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 2h 35m 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaver Dam, 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 264.9 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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.
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 199.3 — 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
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
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
8
199.1 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
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 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
199.3 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.41 one way
$82.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.47
$90.94
premium
$4.89
$50.98
$101.96
diesel
$5.61
$58.49
$116.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.81
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ironville, KY
Night
in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Beaver Dam, KY
Night
in Beaver Dam on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
5h 1m 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.
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 191.8
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 127.9
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 228.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 93% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Western Kentucky Parkway. Expect long stretches of consistent travel, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 101.7 miles on I 64. The character of the drive is largely defined by these efficient parkways and interstates, offering a smooth and predictable experience for most of the 5-hour trip. While not overly technical, the consistent speed and limited local road interaction mean you'll be in cruise control for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. 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 Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 264.9 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 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Beaver Dam, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Cincinnati
109.8 mi in|~2h 4m|via I 64
Lexington
112.2 mi in|~2h 8m
Elizabethtown
125.8 mi in|~2h 28m
Paducah
199.1 mi in|~3h 48m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
199.3 mi in|~3h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 Beaver Dam, 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 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Beaver Dam, KY before the return drive.
