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Trip from Providence, KY to Ironville, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 14m

Distance

326.4 mi

525 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 1m ★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 7m

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 Providence, KY, KY

Providence, KY

Diana ✨

village and civil parish in Amber Valley district, Derbyshire, England, UK

Ironville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 326.4-mile drive from Providence to Ironville, Kentucky, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 14 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-64, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the journey on faster roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, it's an efficient trip for those looking to cover ground within the Southeast region of Kentucky. The drive is structured with one main stop in mind, and the longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 101.8 miles on I-64. This makes it a manageable, albeit long, day trip.

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

163.2 miles from Providence, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 101.8 mi 1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway 98.5 mi 1h 45m
Bluegrass Parkway 70.7 mi 1h 15m
US 41 Alternate 14.5 mi 21m
I 69 9.3 mi 9m
New Circle Road 5.7 mi 8m
Versailles Road 4.6 mi 6m
US Route 60 4.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Providence, KY and Ironville, KY.

1

Start on KY 109

28 ft · 5 sec · North Broadway Street
2

Turn left onto KY 120; KY 293

0.4 mi · 44 sec · East Main Street
3

Continue on KY 120

1.5 mi · 2 min · Westerfield Drive
4

Turn right onto US 41 Alternate

14 mi · 21 min · US 41 Alternate
5

Continue on KY 281

0.6 mi · 1 min · Island Ford Road
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
7

Merge onto I 69

9.3 mi · 9 min · I 69
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 169

0.7 mi · 43 sec · I 169
Exit 106B-A Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
18

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
20

Merge onto KY 4

5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto US 27; US 68

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
22

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
23

Merge onto I 64; I 75

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 64; I 75
24

Take the exit onto I 64

17 mi · 18 min · I 64
Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

84 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 64
26

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 181 Toward US 60
27

Turn left onto US 60

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 60
28

Turn left onto US 60

4.6 mi · 7 min · US Route 60
29

Continue on US 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · 13th Street
30

Turn left onto KY 766

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bob McCullough Drive
31

At end of road, turn right onto KY 766

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Roberts Drive
32

Turn sharp left onto KY 766

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Donta Road
33

Turn right onto Pine Street

157 ft · 8 sec · Pine Street
34

Turn right onto Brett Street

524 ft · 22 sec · Brett Street
35

Continue on Tiffany Drive

382 ft · 16 sec · Tiffany Drive
36

Arrive at destination

Tiffany Drive

Trip Plan

Given the 6 hour and 14 minute duration, starting your drive from Providence, KY, early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize late-night driving. While this route is designed for one day, remember that the longest continuous stretch is over 100 miles, so plan for a break around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost is around $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid unexpected stops. Pay attention to your GPS for the transitions between I-64, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.2 miles from Providence, KY, or about 3h 5m 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 72 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 163.2 miles or 3h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 4m

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 326.4 miles and 6h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 101.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Heritage Creek, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Heritage Creek, KY

163 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

Oklahoma, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Heritage Creek, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.2 miles from Providence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 miles.

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

62 East (Restaurant)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Central City, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.6

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12709315066

M & J Cafe and Food Truck

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ashland, Kentucky

2.9 mi

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ashland, Kentucky

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.1 mi

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.1 mi

62 East (Restaurant)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.6

Central City, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12709315066

M & J Cafe and Food Truck

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 326.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16063270001

Visit website

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18592695701

Visit website

The Hall on Main Coffee & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.1

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18593105185

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 326.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16063931138

Visit website

Speedy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 303.1

Grayson, Kentucky

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16064744419

Visit website

Sweet Caroline's Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 326.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16064087467

Visit website

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

Woodhouse Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.1

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18599793377

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Shortcrust Coffee and Pastry Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 163.2

Bloomfield, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15028275990

Visit website

Funky Rooster Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 209.8

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18594071100

Visit website

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 326.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16063298888

Visit website

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 26.5 and 215.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
26.5 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 169

Keep slight left at fork onto I 169 toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 106B-A Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
7
27.1 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward Elizabethtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown
8
126 mi into trip | ~2h 23m 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
8
128.3 mi into trip | ~2h 27m 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
8
215.4 mi into trip | ~4h 6m 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

$51.03 one way

$102.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $56.03 $112.06
premium $4.89 $62.81 $125.63
diesel $5.61 $72.07 $144.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.9 1 $34.27 $15.67
Efficient EV 81.6 0 $28.56 $13.06
EV Truck/SUV 130.6 1 $45.70 $20.89

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Providence, KY

Evening in Providence on Saturday

Local time

8:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ironville, KY

Night in Ironville on Saturday

Local time

9:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

6 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

6h 14m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 135.1
View on nps.gov
Camp Nelson National Monument

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 202.6
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 101.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 326.4-mile journey, as 94% of the route utilizes major parkways and interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-64, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway, which are designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I-64, meaning you can maintain a steady pace for a significant portion of the drive. While not explicitly scenic, these parkways offer a consistent driving environment, making it easy to settle into a rhythm for the 6-hour-plus trip.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 26.5 miles in near I 169.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 326.4 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 26.5 miles (I 169): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126 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

1,029 ft 433 ft

Total Climb

1,227 ft

Total Descent

963 ft

Highest Point

1,029 ft

~233.1 mi in

Elevation Range

596 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Providence, KY and Ironville, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.

Elizabethtown

27.1 mi in | ~37m

Louisville

126 mi in | ~2h 23m

Lexington

128.3 mi in | ~2h 27m

Bardstown

128.3 mi in | ~2h 27m

Ashland

213.3 mi in | ~4h 4m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 326.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 26.5 miles (I 169): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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