Nortonville, KY to Ironville, KY is 301 miles and takes about 5h 40m via I 64 and the Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, connecting the Southeast region of the state. With 94% of the trip on highways, expect a straightforward cruise for most of the way. Plan for a single-day trip given the relatively short duration, making it a convenient option for moving between locations 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
150.5 miles from Nortonville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.2 mi
1h 45m
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 Nortonville, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on KY 2083
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 62
0.7 mi·1 min·Greenville Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
4
Merge onto I 169
0.8 mi·54 sec·I 169
Toward I 69 North: Henderson
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward Elizabethtown
6
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
9
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
13
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
14
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
16
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
18
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
19
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
20
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
23
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
24
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
25
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
26
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
27
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
28
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
29
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
30
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
31
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
32
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 40m drive time, leaving Nortonville in the morning allows ample time to reach Ironville before evening. The route is predominantly highway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially since the longest stretch is over 100 miles. While the fuel cost is estimated at $46, it's always wise to have a little extra. With only one recommended stop and 94% highway travel, you have flexibility in pacing your drive, but consider a brief break around the halfway point to stay alert.
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 150.5 miles from Nortonville, KY, or about 2h 44m 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 66 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.5 miles or 2h 44m 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 34m
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 Nortonville, 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 Nortonville, KY
This is one driving day of about 301 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Nortonville, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.6 and 190 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
101 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
103 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
190 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
$44.45 one way
$88.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.07
$98.14
premium
$4.72
$55.89
$111.77
diesel
$4.80
$56.83
$113.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
Efficient EV
75.3
0
$26.34
$12.04
EV Truck/SUV
120.4
1
$42.14
$19.26
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Nortonville, KY
Evening
in Nortonville on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Ironville, KY
Night
in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM 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
6 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 40m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 103.8
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 176.5
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 72.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the interstate and parkways, with 94% of the 301 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 101.8 miles on I 64. Expect a consistent highway feel for the majority of the trip until the final miles, where the percentage of highway driving decreases. This means you'll encounter fewer exits and rural cruising sections as you approach your destination.
94% 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: 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 100.6 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 23 significant decision points across 301 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 100.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103 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
1,230 ft407 ft
Total Climb
1,350 ft
Total Descent
1,044 ft
Highest Point
1,230 ft
~258 mi in
Elevation Range
823 ft
Notable High Points
1,230 ft at ~258 miles+546 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nortonville, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 301 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
