Park Hills, KY to Ironville, KY is 152 miles and takes about 3 hours 8 minutes via James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing parts of Kentucky. It offers a mixed driving experience, making it a manageable single-day trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward journey with a predictable fuel cost and a clear path.
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
76 miles from Park Hills, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m 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
I 471
4.7 mi
5m
13th Street
2.1 mi
3m
I 71
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
— 75 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Hills, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on this road
60 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Hamilton Road
54 ft·5 sec·Hamilton Road
3
Turn right onto Amsterdam Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Amsterdam Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto Montague Road
0.2 mi·42 sec·Montague Road
5
Turn left onto US 25; US 42; US 127
0.3 mi·48 sec·West Pike Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 71 North, I 75 North
7
Merge onto I 71; I 75
0.9 mi·1 min·I 71; I 75
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71
0.8 mi·1 min·I 71
Exit 1BToward I 71 North, US 50 East: ColumbusUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 50
0.5 mi·45 sec·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Columbia Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 471 South: Newport KentuckyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 471
4.7 mi·5 min·I 471
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 275 East: Columbus, OhioUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 275
1.6 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
14
Continue on I 275
9.5 mi·10 min·Circle Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 63A-BToward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, BataviaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 63AToward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, NewtownUse the slight left lane.
17
Turn right onto SR 32
75 mi·1 hr 32 min·James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Toward Eastgate BoulevardUse the right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
19
Merge onto US 23
10 mi·13 min·US 23
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
21
Continue on SR 823
17 mi·17 min·Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Merge onto US 52
23 mi·25 min·US 52
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
24
Continue on Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi·31 sec·Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
25
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.5 mi·55 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn slight right onto US 60
2.1 mi·3 min·13th Street
27
Turn right onto KY 1134
0.3 mi·52 sec·Winslow Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto KY 1134
0.5 mi·1 min·Roberts Drive
29
Keep slight right at fork onto West Donta Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
30
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
31
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
32
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
33
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 8-minute drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 75-mile stretch on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, as fuel availability might be less frequent there. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is a helpful budget point, but always consider carrying a little extra for unforeseen circumstances or slightly higher prices.
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 76 miles from Park Hills, KY, or about 1h 35m 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 35m 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 33m
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 Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, KY
This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Park Hills, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 20.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in|I 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus
8
8.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio
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 1A
Toward I 275 East: Columbus, Ohio
8
20.1 mi into trip|~26m 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
20.4 mi into trip|~27m 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
20.6 mi into trip|~27m 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
$23.76 one way
$47.53 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.09
$52.18
premium
$4.89
$29.25
$58.50
diesel
$5.61
$33.56
$67.12
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: 53.2 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
45.6
0
$15.96
$7.30
Efficient EV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
EV Truck/SUV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
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 18, 2026
Origin
Park Hills, KY
Morning
in Park Hills on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ironville, KY
Morning
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph1% 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
13 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
3h 8m 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 152-mile route is a mixed drive, with about 33% on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 75 miles. Expect a blend of faster highway sections and potentially more winding or local roads as you progress. The drive's character shifts, moving from wider highway segments to potentially narrower routes as you approach your destination.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 71.
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 25 significant decision points across 152 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 2.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 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 Park Hills, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Ohio, Batavia and Newtown.
Ohio
8.5 mi in|~12m
Batavia
20.1 mi in|~26m
Newtown
20.4 mi in|~27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 152 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 2.2 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 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 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
