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Trip from Louisville, KY to Albany, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

150.3 mi

242 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Louisville, KY, KY

Louisville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Clinton County, Kentucky, United States

Albany, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Louisville to Albany, Kentucky, covers 150.3 miles through the heart of the Southeast. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $23, it is an affordable excursion that stays entirely within the state. You will navigate primarily via local surface streets like South 6th, West Liberty, and South 1st Street rather than utilizing major interstates. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for those who prefer backroads over high-speed transit. Whether you are heading out for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute, this direct path offers a straightforward way to transition between these two Kentucky cities.

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

75.2 miles from Louisville, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 43.8 mi 49m
US 127 29.8 mi 34m
Campbellsville Road 20.7 mi 23m
Cumberland Parkway 12.9 mi 13m
Hodgenville Road 12.3 mi 13m
Lincoln Parkway 12 mi 13m
New Columbia Road 10.3 mi 11m
Cross Street 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 43.8 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Albany, KY.

1

Start on West Jefferson Street

257 ft · 16 sec · West Jefferson Street
2

Turn left onto South 6th Street

284 ft · 15 sec · South 6th Street
3

Turn left onto West Liberty Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Liberty Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Turn right onto South 1st Street

224 ft · 3 sec · South 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 65 South: Nashville Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6

Merge onto I 65

44 mi · 49 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 91A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 91A Toward KY 61: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

0.4 mi · 27 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
11

Continue on KY 61

12 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Parkway
12

At end of road, turn right onto KY 210

13 mi · 15 min · Campbellsville Road
13

Continue on KY 210

12 mi · 13 min · Hodgenville Road
14

Continue on KY 210

1.2 mi · 1 min · Campbellsville Bypass
15

Continue on KY 210

10 mi · 11 min · New Columbia Road
16

Continue on KY 55

7.3 mi · 8 min · Campbellsville Road
17

Continue on KY 55 Business

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Campbellsville Street
18

Enter roundabout onto KY 55 Business; KY 80

276 ft · 4 sec · Jamestown Road
19

Continue on KY 55 Business; KY 80

81 ft · 1 sec · Jamestown Road
20

Turn slight right onto KY 55 Business; KY 80

1.2 mi · 1 min · Jamestown Street
21

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 49 Toward KY 55: Columbia
22

Merge onto Cumberland Parkway

13 mi · 13 min · Cumberland Parkway
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 62 Toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
24

Turn right onto US 127

3.7 mi · 4 min · US 127
25

Turn right onto US 127

24 mi · 27 min · US 127
26

Turn left onto US 127; KY 90

0.6 mi · 48 sec · US 127; KY 90
27

Turn sharp right onto US 127

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 127
28

Turn left onto US 127 Business

2.8 mi · 4 min · Cross Street
29

Turn left onto KY 350

231 ft · 17 sec · Jefferson Street
30

Turn left onto US 127 Business; KY 350

206 ft · 5 sec · South Washington Street
31

Turn right onto KY 350

108 ft · 2 sec · East Cumberland Street
32

Arrive at destination

KY 350

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop along the way to break up the frequent turns and keep your focus sharp. Because you are navigating local streets, keep a close eye on your GPS to ensure you don't miss any of the necessary turns that define this 150.3-mile trek. Budgeting around $23 for gas should cover your needs, but it is always smart to fill up before leaving Louisville to avoid hunting for stations on less familiar roads. By keeping your pace steady and utilizing your planned stop to rest, you can easily complete the entire drive in one comfortable, efficient day.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.2 miles from Louisville, KY, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.8 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 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 75.2 miles or 1h 27m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Louisville, 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 Louisville, KY

This is one driving day of about 150.3 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Louisville, 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 65 for about 43.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Campbellsville, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Campbellsville, KY

75 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

Elizabethtown, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greensburg, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.2 miles from Louisville, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Vincenzo's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Expensive

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15025801350

Visit website

Addis Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.2 mi

Safier Mediterranean Deli

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15025893222

Visit website

Blak Koffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.6 mi

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Vincenzo's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Expensive

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15025801350

Visit website

Addis Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15025811011

Visit website

Safier Mediterranean Deli

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15025851125

Visit website

Wild Swann Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15024343777

Visit website

WINGS PIZZA N THINGS

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.9

Campbellsville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12702834923

Visit website

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12709867900

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12707655525

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15025893222

Visit website

Blak Koffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15022903729

Visit website

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21.5

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+15029210075

Visit website

Quills Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15028615844

Visit website

Please & Thank You "MARK"

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15025530113

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Outer Loop

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15026183254

Visit website

Pearl Street Game & Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18129200926

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18125903867

Visit website

Muhammad Ali Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15025849254

Visit website

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18777758443

Visit website

Flame Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15025845353

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 43

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Howard Steamboat Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18122833728

Visit website

Big 4 Escape

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 2–8 pm

+18127251046

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

O'Dolly's Lounge and Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15023751690

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 45.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Liberty Street

Turn left onto West Liberty Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | South 1st Street

Turn right onto South 1st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
44.6 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway

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 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
7
44.8 mi into trip | ~51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 91A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville
9
45.2 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward KY 61: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 91A Toward KY 61: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.50 one way

$47.00 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.80 $51.60
premium $4.89 $28.92 $57.85
diesel $5.61 $33.18 $66.37

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: 52.6 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 45.1 0 $15.78 $7.21
Efficient EV 37.6 0 $13.15 $6.01
EV Truck/SUV 60.1 0 $21.04 $9.62

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 15, 2026

Origin

Louisville, KY

Late night in Louisville on Sunday

Local time

12:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, KY

Night in Albany on Saturday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°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 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 55m 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?

Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route features zero highway miles and relies entirely on local roads. The journey is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring you to stay alert and engaged with the road layout rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Since you are moving away from the urban density of Louisville and into the more rural landscape of Albany, the character of the road shifts accordingly. You will not find long, monotonous stretches here; instead, the path demands consistent navigation through various intersections and local thoroughfares. Prepare for a more technical drive that prioritizes steady pacing over raw speed.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.8 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 127. 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 West Liberty Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 150.3 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 (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 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 Louisville, KY and Albany, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Hodgenville and Russell Springs.

Paducah

44.6 mi in | ~51m

Hodgenville

44.8 mi in | ~51m

Russell Springs

117.3 mi in | ~2h 16m

About the Cities

Starting in Louisville, KY

Full guide →

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is known for the Kentucky Derby horserace and as the "gateway to the south" from southern Indiana. It's a lively mid-sized city with an excellent dining scene, ample opportunities for bourbon tasting, and interesting public art. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball — the Louisville Slugger.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.8 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Albany, 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 (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Albany, KY before heading back.

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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