Origin
Ironville, KY
Late night in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ironville, KY to Manchester, 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 8m
Distance
160.3 mi
258 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ironville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Manchester, KY
Mylo Kaye
Trip Overview
Ironville, KY to Manchester, KY is 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 8m via Louisa Road and KY 80, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Southeast Kentucky drive covers a moderate distance, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on main state roads and a parkway, with a good portion of the journey on highways. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive through the region without excessive mileage.
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
80.1 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Louisa Road | 57.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| KY 80 | 42.4 mi | 48m |
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| US 23 | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| Greenup Avenue | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| 13th Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Walnut Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| US 421 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Louisa Road
— 57.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Manchester, 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
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Donta Road
5
Turn straight onto KY 1134
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Roberts Drive
6
Turn right onto KY 1134
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Winslow Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 60
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
13th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Winchester Avenue
359 ft
·
7 sec
·
Winchester Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto 14th Street
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
14th Street
10
Continue on 14th Street
374 ft
·
18 sec
·
14th Street
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 23; US 60
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Greenup Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 23; US 60
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Center Street
13
Continue on US 23; US 60
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
14
Continue on US 23; US 60
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Louisa Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 23
57 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Louisa Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 23; US 460
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 23; US 460
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
325 ft
·
11 sec
19
Turn right onto KY 80
42 mi
·
48 min
·
KY 80
20
Continue on Hal Rogers Parkway
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Hal Rogers Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 20
Toward KY 80: Manchester
22
Turn right onto KY 80
348 ft
·
5 sec
·
KY 80
23
Continue on KY 80
297 ft
·
7 sec
·
KY 80
24
Continue on US 421; KY 11
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 421; KY 11
25
Arrive at destination
US 421; KY 11
Trip Plan
Given the drive's duration of just over 3 hours, you have ample flexibility for when to depart. Leaving Ironville in the morning allows for a comfortable arrival in Manchester with plenty of daylight remaining. While there's only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, especially considering the 57.1-mile stretch on Louisa Road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer stretches in more rural areas.
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 80.1 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 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 35 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, 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 160.3 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Louisa Road for about 57.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.1 miles from Ironville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 77.9 — 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
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 60 / 13th Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 60 / 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
14th Street
Enter roundabout onto 14th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
4.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 23; US 60 / Greenup Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 23; US 60 / Greenup Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
77.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.06 one way
$50.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.52 | $55.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.85 | $61.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.39 | $70.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Manchester, KY
Late night in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 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 8m 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?
This drive offers a mixed bag of road types. With 57% of the route on highways, you'll experience some faster travel, but it's not entirely interstate cruising. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 57.1 miles on Louisa Road, so be prepared for a sustained period on this particular highway. The overall profile suggests a blend of efficient travel and more localized road conditions as you progress towards Manchester.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.1 mi on Louisa Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Pine Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 8m drive. You will face about 12 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 1.6 miles (US 60 / 13th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (14th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.1 miles on Louisa Road. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Pine Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.6 miles (US 60 / 13th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (14th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Manchester, 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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