Ironville to Cynthiana is 118.1 miles and takes about 2h 29m via I 64 and Paris Pike, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you through the Southeast region of Kentucky, moving between rural areas. The drive is largely on highways, making it a straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state. It's a single-day trip, so you can plan to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
71.2 mi
1h 16m
Paris Pike
10 mi
14m
North Middletown Road
9.6 mi
14m
Cynthiana Road
6.7 mi
9m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
US 60
3.6 mi
5m
Mount Sterling Road
2.9 mi
4m
New Lair Road
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Cynthiana, 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
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 64
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 110Toward Us 460, KY 11: Mount Sterling, Paris
14
Turn right onto US 460; KY 11
0.6 mi·56 sec·Maysville Road
15
Turn left onto US 460
7.3 mi·10 min·Paris Pike
16
Continue on US 460
2.9 mi·4 min·Mount Sterling Road
17
Continue on US 460; KY 57
0.3 mi·26 sec·Main Street
18
Continue on US 460; KY 3364
9.6 mi·14 min·North Middletown Road
19
Turn right onto US 68 Business
0.2 mi·17 sec·Millersburg Road
20
Turn left onto Paris By-Pass Road
2.4 mi·2 min·Paris By-Pass Road
21
Take the exit
136 ft·3 sec
22
Turn right onto US 27
6.7 mi·9 min·Cynthiana Road
23
Continue on US 27
2.7 mi·3 min·Paris Pike
24
Turn right onto KY 982
0.5 mi·1 min·KY 982
25
Continue on KY 982
2.4 mi·4 min·New Lair Road
26
Continue on KY 982
0.6 mi·1 min·South Church Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 29 minute duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Aim to depart Ironville in the morning to maximize your daylight hours in Cynthiana. With only one recommended day, you have the flexibility to stop if needed, though the longest stretch is over 70 miles, so plan for a break before then if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches on I 64, as service areas can be spaced out. The $18 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cynthiana, 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 118.1 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ironville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 71.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 114.6 — 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
3
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 766 / West Donta Road
Turn left onto KY 766 / West Donta Road
Navigation decision point
6
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward Us 460, KY 11: Mount Sterling, Paris
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 110
Toward Us 460, KY 11: Mount Sterling, Paris
4
102.7 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 68 Business / Millersburg Road
Turn right onto US 68 Business / Millersburg Road
Navigation decision point
4
114.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|KY 982
Turn right onto KY 982
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.46 one way
$36.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.27
$40.54
premium
$4.89
$22.73
$45.45
diesel
$5.61
$26.07
$52.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Down Home Diner
Morehead, KY
FCN
4 DCFC
Pilot Travel Center 41
Mount Sterling, KY
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
LOVE'S 418 - KY #418 DC2
Grayson, KY
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
LOVE'S 418 - KY #418 DC1
Grayson, KY
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 2
FCN: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.4
0
$12.40
$5.67
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.53
$7.56
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 19, 2026
Origin
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cynthiana, KY
Late night
in Cynthiana on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Rain Showers Likely
NW 6 to 15 mph58% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
2h 29m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 68% of your journey utilizing major roads like I 64. You'll experience a significant stretch of 71.2 miles on I 64, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to Paris Pike and North Middletown Road, the character of the drive will shift slightly, moving away from interstate speeds. Expect a mix of faster highway travel and potentially more local road driving towards the end.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Paris Pike. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pine Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 0.2 miles (KY 766 / West Donta Road): Navigation decision point; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Ironville, KY to Cynthiana, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Paris along the way.
Paris
81.7 mi in|~1h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 118.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The drive from Ironville, KY to Cynthiana, KY covers 118.1 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Paris Pike, North Middletown Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 miles from Ironville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Pine Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (KY 766 / West Donta Road): Navigation decision point; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ironville, KY to Cynthiana, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Paris along the way.
