Origin
Ironville, KY
Night in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ironville, KY to Plano, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
272.8 mi
439 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ironville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
Ironville, KY to Plano, KY is 272.8 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. It's a largely highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, so pack some good audio entertainment. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B 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
136.4 miles from Ironville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 101.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 65 | 70.3 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 |
| Plano Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Plano, 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 113
Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
Use 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 5B
Toward US 60 West: Versailles
Use 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
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
26
Turn straight onto US 231
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Scottsville Road
27
Turn right onto KY 622
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Plano Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto Larmon Mill Road
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Larmon Mill Road
29
Arrive at destination
Larmon Mill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimate of $43, plan your refueling stops accordingly. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 100 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. While this route is primarily highway, keep an eye on signage for any local road transitions, especially as you approach your destination.
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 136.4 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 2h 40m 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 2h 40m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plano, 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 272.8 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.4 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 101.7 miles.
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 268.4 — 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
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
7
268.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.65 one way
$85.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.83 | $93.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.50 | $105.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.23 | $120.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.64 | $13.09 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.87 | $10.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.19 | $17.46 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Plano, KY
Evening in Plano on Saturday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
4 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 10m 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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 244.6
View on nps.gov
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 206.9
View on nps.gov
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 122.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major highways like I 64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and I 65. Expect long stretches of consistent speed; the longest uninterrupted segment spans 101.7 miles on I 64. The character of the drive is predominantly interstate cruising, offering a steady pace for most of the 5h 10m journey. While the majority is highway, be prepared for potential transitions as you navigate between these main arteries.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 272.8 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.
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 Plano, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington and Elizabethtown.
Cincinnati
109.8 mi in
|
~2h 4m
|
via I 64
Lexington
112.2 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Elizabethtown
125.8 mi in
|
~2h 28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 272.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 Plano, 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 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plano, KY before the return drive.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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