Ironville, KY to Franklin, KY is 288.1 miles and takes about 5h 25m via I 64 and I 65, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region toward the south-central part of the state. Given that 93% of the route is on major highways, expect a straightforward trip with minimal time spent on slower surface roads. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive if you're looking to cover a good amount of ground efficiently.
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
144 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.7 mi
1h 50m
I 65
86.8 mi
1h 32m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
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
Scottsville Road
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,316 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,886
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Franklin, 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
87 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward KY 100: Scottsville, Franklin
25
Turn right onto KY 100
1.1 mi·1 min·Scottsville Road
26
Turn right onto KY 73
255 ft·9 sec·Rapids Road
27
Turn left onto KY 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Scottsville Road
28
Continue on KY 73
1.4 mi·2 min·East Cedar Street
29
Turn right onto North Water Street
99 ft·4 sec·North Water Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Water Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 25m drive, aim to depart early in the morning. This gives you ample daylight and allows you to reach Franklin, KY with time to spare. With only one recommended stop and 93% highway driving, you can easily cover the 288.1 miles without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 101.7-mile stretch on I 64, as services can sometimes be spread out on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $51, so plan accordingly.
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 144 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 2h 48m 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 2h 48m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 288.1 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 20
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
$47.90 one way
$95.80 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$52.18
$104.35
premium
$5.18
$58.79
$117.58
diesel
$5.35
$60.68
$121.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.4
1
$30.25
$13.83
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.21
$11.52
EV Truck/SUV
115.2
1
$40.33
$18.44
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Ironville, KY
Afternoon
in Ironville on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Franklin, KY
Afternoon
in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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 25m 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.
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 238.4
Park Closure: Elevator for Accessible Tour Out of Service
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 188.7
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 129.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with 93% of the 288.1 miles on highways like I 64 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 101.7 miles on I 64. Expect a fairly consistent cruising experience until you transition to the Bluegrass Parkway, where the highway density may decrease. The majority of your driving will be on well-maintained, high-speed roads.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 65. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 288.1 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. 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,018 ft459 ft
Total Climb
1,156 ft
Total Descent
1,164 ft
Highest Point
1,018 ft
~82.3 mi in
Elevation Range
558 ft
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 Franklin, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington and Elizabethtown.
Franklin is a city in Kentucky's Caves and Lakes region. In the mid-2000s, the community of Franklin was honored as one of the "50 Best Small Southern Towns."
Top landmarks
•Simpson County Courthouse — courthouse in Kentucky, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 288.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m 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.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Franklin, 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 20 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. 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.
Yes — Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Franklin, KY before the return drive.
