Morehead, KY to Ironville, KY is 287.7 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Kentucky, primarily traversing the Southeast region. Given its predominantly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, this makes for a solid choice when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
143.8 miles from Morehead, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
84.3 mi
1h 30m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
US 60
4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~645 veh/hr typical
· worst 968
Quietest
2 AM
~56 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Morehead, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on St-1122
0.5 mi·1 min·St-1122
2
Turn right onto St-1131
387 ft·18 sec·St-1131
3
Turn right onto St-1047
0.8 mi·3 min·St-1047
4
Turn left onto St-1065
0.9 mi·3 min·St-1065
5
Keep slight left at fork onto St-1065
480 ft·26 sec·St-1065
6
Turn left onto St-1067
168 ft·12 sec·St-1067
7
Turn left onto KY 181
0.3 mi·30 sec·KY 181
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
9
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
16
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
19
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
21
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
22
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
23
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
26
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
27
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
28
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
29
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
30
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
31
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
32
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
33
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
34
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
35
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving Morehead in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops. With a 287.7-mile distance, it's comfortably a single-day trip, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 101.8-mile stretch on I 64, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The $44 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your trip expenses.
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 143.8 miles from Morehead, KY, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 43m 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 29m
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 Morehead, 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 Morehead, KY
This is one driving day of about 287.7 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Morehead, 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 101.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 87.3 and 176.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
6
174.6 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
176.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 64
Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.49 one way
$84.97 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.90
$93.81
premium
$4.72
$53.42
$106.83
diesel
$4.80
$54.32
$108.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.21
$13.81
Efficient EV
71.9
0
$25.17
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.28
$18.41
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Morehead, KY
Late night
in Morehead on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:18PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:06PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:18PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:06PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 31m 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.
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 99.2
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 158.7
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 59.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 94% of the 287.7 miles on major roadways like I 64 and the Western Kentucky Parkway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 101.8 miles on I 64, suggesting extended periods of cruising. The Bluegrass Parkway marks the transition away from the interstate, offering a change of pace before reaching Ironville.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 287.7 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 87.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.6 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
1,017 ft412 ft
Total Climb
1,302 ft
Total Descent
1,102 ft
Highest Point
1,017 ft
~184.9 mi in
Elevation Range
605 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morehead, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Morehead is a small city at the foot of the Kentucky Appalachians. The 2020 census puts the population as 7151. It is the home of Morehead State University, one Kentucky's seven public universities.
Top landmarks
•Downtown Morehead Historic District — historic district in Morehead, Kentucky
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 287.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.8 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 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 87.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ironville, KY before the return drive.
