This 195.1-mile drive from Providence to Ironville, Kentucky, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates like I-64 and I-75, with a portion on the Cumberland Gap Parkway, making it a quick journey through the Southeast region of Kentucky. With an estimated fuel cost of $31 and just one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficiency. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground without many detours.
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
97.5 miles from Providence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
84.5 mi
1h 30m
I 75
65.3 mi
1h 9m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
14.1 mi
17m
Boonesborough Road
12.3 mi
15m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
US 60
4 mi
6m
Corbin Bypass
1.9 mi
3m
Boone Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Providence, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on KY 459
0.1 mi·16 sec·KY 459
2
Turn left onto KY 2423
0.9 mi·2 min·Sharp Gap Road
3
Continue on KY 2423
0.3 mi·47 sec·School Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto KY 6
502 ft·16 sec·North Main Street
5
Turn left onto KY 1487
1.2 mi·2 min·Manchester Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 25E
14 mi·17 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
7
Continue on US 25E
1.9 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lexington
9
Merge onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 75
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
11
Turn right onto KY 627
12 mi·15 min·Boonesborough Road
12
Continue on KY 627
1.3 mi·2 min·Boone Avenue
13
Turn left onto KY 627
1.3 mi·2 min·Maple Street
14
Continue on KY 627
0.1 mi·17 sec·Paris Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
16
Merge onto I 64
0.9 mi·59 sec·I 64
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
19
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
20
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
21
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
22
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
23
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
24
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
25
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
26
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
27
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 47-minute duration, you can comfortably tackle this 195.1-mile drive from Providence to Ironville in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, even with only one stop factored in. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 84.5-mile stretch on I-64, to avoid unnecessary delays. The $31 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and planning your fuel stop before hitting that longest stretch is a smart move.
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 97.5 miles from Providence, KY, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.5 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
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 Providence, 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 Providence, KY
This is one driving day of about 195.1 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Providence, 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 84.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 194.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|KY 6 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto KY 6 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|KY 1487 / Manchester Street
Turn left onto KY 1487 / Manchester Street
Navigation decision point
5
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
5
184.3 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 181
Toward US 60
5
194.9 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|Brett Street
Turn right onto Brett Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.50 one way
$61.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.49
$66.98
premium
$4.89
$37.55
$75.09
diesel
$5.61
$43.08
$86.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.5
0
$20.49
$9.36
Efficient EV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
EV Truck/SUV
78
0
$27.31
$12.49
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Providence, KY
Late night
in Providence on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Richmond, KY
98 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
1 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 47m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 81.7
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 47.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 88% of this 195.1-mile route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-64, allowing for consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions. While primarily an interstate drive, the inclusion of the Cumberland Gap Parkway might offer a slight change in scenery as you progress. This route is built for steady progress rather than winding backroads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 75. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near KY 6 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 195.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (KY 6 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (KY 1487 / Manchester Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Providence, KY to Ironville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Winchester along the way.
Winchester
84.1 mi in|~1h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 195.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.5 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (KY 6 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (KY 1487 / Manchester Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
