Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Ironville, KY to Brandenburg, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
223.5 mi
360 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ironville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Brandenburg, KY
detait
Trip Overview
Ironville to Brandenburg is 223.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip. Given the relatively short duration and direct route, this is a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. The estimated fuel cost of $35 makes it an economical choice for a weekend excursion or a quick weekday trip.
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
111.7 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 162.1 mi | 2h 54m |
| Gene Snyder Freeway | 25.2 mi | 29m |
| Dixie Highway | 13.2 mi | 17m |
| Old Mill Road | 9.1 mi | 13m |
| US Route 60 | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| US 60 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Broadway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Brandenburg Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 162.1 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,321 veh/hr typical · worst 1,672
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Ironville, KY and Brandenburg, 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
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Interstate 265, KY 841 South: Gene Snyder Freeway
16
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Gene Snyder Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
204 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto US 31W; US 60
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Dixie Highway
20
Turn right onto KY 1638
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
Old Mill Road
21
Turn right onto KY 448
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Brandenburg Road
22
Turn right onto KY 448
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway
23
Continue on KY 448
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Broadway
24
Turn left onto KY 710
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old State Road
25
Arrive at destination
KY 710
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 18m drive, consider leaving Ironville in the morning to allow ample time for the 223.5-mile journey. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The $35 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 162.1-mile stretch on I 64, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The transition to Dixie Highway will signal the end of the highway portion, so be ready to adjust your driving pace.
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 111.7 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.1 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.7 miles or 2h 6m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandenburg, 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 223.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 162.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.7 miles from Ironville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area I 64 (West Bound)
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area I 64 (East Bound)
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 198.3 — 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
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cinci...
8
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
8
198.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
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 1
Toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
9
198.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.16 one way
$74.32 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $40.48 | $80.95 |
| premium | $5.18 | $45.61 | $91.21 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $47.08 | $94.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.47 | $10.73 |
| Efficient EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.4 | 1 | $31.29 | $14.30 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
Ironville, KY
Afternoon in Ironville on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
N 3 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Brandenburg, KY
Afternoon in Brandenburg on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 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
4h 18m 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.
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 107.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 87% highway, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on I 64 is 162.1 miles, offering a long period of consistent cruising. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically Dixie Highway, for the final portion of the drive. Be prepared for more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you enter more developed areas approaching Brandenburg.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Gene Snyder Freeway. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 223.5 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 109.8 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.7 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
998 ft
436 ft
Total Climb
712 ft
Total Descent
863 ft
Highest Point
998 ft
~111.7 mi in
Elevation Range
562 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Brandenburg, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Louisville, Fort Knox and Patton Museum.
Cincinnati
109.8 mi in
|
~2h 4m
|
via I 64
Louisville
116.7 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via I 64
Fort Knox
198.3 mi in
|
~3h 43m
Patton Museum
198.3 mi in
|
~3h 43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Louisville, KY
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteTim Hortons
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Ashland, KY
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-We 06:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-19:00; Su...
Visit websiteI Heart Juice Bar
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Middletown, KY
The Daily Grind
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 07:00-18:00
I Love Pollo
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Douglass Hills, KY
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteJack in the Box
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Louisville, KY
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: burger
Visit websitePapa John's
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Ashland, KY
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Ashland, KY
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-21:00; Su 06:00-21:00
Visit websiteDQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Ashland, KY
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Louisville, KY
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09...
Visit websiteSunrise Valley Golf and Country Club
Park
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
1974 Tornado Victims
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Tree Trunk from 1974 Tornado
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Confederate Monument
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
americas best value inn
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
brandenburg, KY
Visit websiteHoliday Inn Express
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Winchester, KY
Visit websiteComfort Inn
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Winchester, KY
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Ironville, KY
Full guide →Arriving in Brandenburg, KY
Full guide →Founded 1804
Brandenburg is a small town in the Kentucky Derby Region. Located on the Ohio River, 40 miles southwest of Louisville, it is the county seat of Meade County.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 223.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.1 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Brandenburg, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.7 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Brandenburg, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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