Lakeside Park, KY to Ironville, KY is 151.3 miles and takes about 3h 5m via James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Kentucky. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and local driving, rather than a consistent highway experience. It’s a manageable drive that can easily be completed in a single day, making it a straightforward option for a quick journey.
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
75.7 miles from Lakeside Park, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
75 mi
1h 32m
US 52
23.5 mi
25m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.5 mi
17m
US 23
10.5 mi
13m
Circle Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
Ronald Reagan Highway
8.5 mi
9m
13th Street
2.1 mi
3m
Turkeyfoot Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 75 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeside Park, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on Evergreen Court
299 ft·18 sec·Evergreen Court
2
Turn left onto Hudson Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Hudson Avenue
3
Continue on KY 1303
0.6 mi·1 min·Turkeyfoot Road
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 275 EastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 275
8.5 mi·9 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 275
9.5 mi·10 min·Circle Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 63A-BToward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, BataviaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 63AToward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, NewtownUse the slight left lane.
9
Turn right onto SR 32
75 mi·1 hr 32 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Toward Eastgate BoulevardUse the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
11
Merge onto US 23
10 mi·13 min·US 23
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
13
Continue on SR 823
17 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Merge onto US 52
23 mi·25 min·US 52
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
16
Continue on Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi·31 sec·Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
17
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.5 mi·55 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn slight right onto US 60
2.1 mi·3 min·13th Street
19
Turn right onto KY 1134
0.3 mi·52 sec·Winslow Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto KY 1134
0.5 mi·1 min·Roberts Drive
21
Keep slight right at fork onto West Donta Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
22
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
23
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
24
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 5m duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any brief stops or unexpected delays. The route has one recommended stop, so plan accordingly to break up the 151.3 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it’s a budget-friendly option. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive; having reliable navigation is key to smoothly transitioning between the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, US 52, and the Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 75.7 miles from Lakeside Park, KY, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeside Park, 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 Lakeside Park, KY
This is one driving day of about 151.3 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Lakeside Park, 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 James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 75 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 19.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hudson Avenue
Turn left onto Hudson Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 275 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 275 East
8
19.4 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia
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 63A-B
Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Bata...
9
19.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 63A
Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
7
19.8 mi into trip|~25m in|SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Turn right onto SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway toward Eastgate Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Eastgate Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.65 one way
$47.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.97
$51.94
premium
$4.89
$29.12
$58.23
diesel
$5.61
$33.41
$66.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.4
0
$15.89
$7.26
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
EV Truck/SUV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lakeside Park, KY
Morning
in Lakeside Park on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ironville, KY
Morning
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Jasper, OH
76 mi in
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 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 5m 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 drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a more varied road network. Only 29% of the journey is on highways, so be prepared for a change in pace and road type. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75 miles along the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitions. Expect to engage with local roads and potentially more frequent adjustments to your navigation as you move between different segments of the route.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hudson Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 151.3 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 0.1 miles (Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 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.
Between Lakeside Park, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Batavia and Newtown.
Batavia
19.4 mi in|~24m
Newtown
19.7 mi in|~24m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 151.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. 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 Ironville, 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 0.1 miles (Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
