Traveling from Radcliff to Ashland covers a 219.9-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays within the Southeast region of Kentucky, you will notice a consistent landscape as you cross the state. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as it is designed to be a straightforward point-to-point transit. Budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance, though local prices may fluctuate. Since the path relies heavily on local roads rather than interstates, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace. Ultimately, it is a manageable drive if you prefer keeping your travel contained to a single day.
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
110 miles from Radcliff, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
111.3 mi
2h
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
South Dixie Boulevard
5.2 mi
7m
North Dixie Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
Winchester Avenue
3.4 mi
4m
North Mulberry Street
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 111.3 mi, about 2h
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 Radcliff, KY and Ashland, KY.
1
Start on Elm Road
49 ft·5 sec·Elm Road
2
Turn left onto North Woodland Drive
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Woodland Drive
3
Turn left onto KY 1815
0.6 mi·1 min·West Lincoln Trail Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 31W
3.7 mi·6 min·South Dixie Boulevard
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Dixie Boulevard
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
1.4 mi·1 min·South Dixie Boulevard
7
Continue on US 31W
476 ft·6 sec·North Dixie Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
4.8 mi·6 min·North Dixie Highway
9
Continue on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·West Dixie Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 62; KY 61
2.1 mi·3 min·North Mulberry Street
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
12
Merge onto I 65
0.6 mi·38 sec·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / 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
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 64
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 191Toward US 23: Louisa, Ashland
26
Turn left onto US 23
1.2 mi·1 min·Louisa Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 23
1.1 mi·1 min·Louisa Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 23; US 60
1.2 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
29
Continue on US 23; US 60
0.8 mi·58 sec·Center Street
30
Continue on US 23; US 60
3.4 mi·4 min·Winchester Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto 17th Street
230 ft·10 sec·17th Street
32
Arrive at destination
17th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 11-minute drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, departure timing is critical to avoid peak traffic congestion in the areas surrounding these thoroughfares. You should factor in the $33 fuel cost before you depart to ensure you aren't caught off guard at the pump along the way. Because the route is quite turn-heavy, keeping a reliable GPS active is the best way to stay on course through the various local road transitions. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a break if the constant turning becomes fatiguing.
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 110 miles from Radcliff, KY, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.3 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 11m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Radcliff, 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 Radcliff, KY
This is one driving day of about 219.9 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Radcliff, 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 111.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 211.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.8 mi into trip|~21m 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 / right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
5
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Frankfort
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
6
100 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
102.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
6
211.8 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward US 23: Louisa, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 191
Toward US 23: Louisa, Ashland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.47 one way
$64.95 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.85
$71.70
premium
$4.72
$40.83
$81.66
diesel
$4.80
$41.52
$83.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.09
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.24
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.79
$14.07
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Radcliff, KY
Late night
in Radcliff on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:12PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Destination
Ashland, KY
Late night
in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:12PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 11m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 22.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a typical interstate commute, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 219.9 miles navigating local thoroughfares like North Woodland Drive, West Lincoln Trail Boulevard, and South Dixie Boulevard. Because the road lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the flow of local traffic and road geometry. This experience is far from a monotonous grind, offering a more technical driving profile that keeps you engaged. Be ready for a steady pace that favors constant movement over high-speed cruising.
83% 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: 111.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 219.9 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,035 ft549 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
950 ft
Highest Point
1,035 ft
~125.7 mi in
Elevation Range
487 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Radcliff, KY and Ashland, KY, road signs point toward Lexington and Bardstown.
Lexington
14.8 mi in|~21m
Bardstown
14.8 mi in|~21m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Ashland is a city in Boyd County in the Kentucky Appalachians near the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. It was founded as Poage's Landing in 1786, incorporated as Ashland in 1854, and has witnessed the likenesses of such personalities as Billy Ray Cyrus and the Judds (country singers Naomi and her older daughter Wynonna, who performed as The Judds before Wynonna launched a solo career, and younger daughter Ashley, who became a prominent actress).
Top landmarks
•Ashland Commercial Historic District — historic district in Ashland, Kentucky
•Lithia Fountain — Mineral water fountain in Ashland, Oregon
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 219.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Ashland, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 100 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ashland, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
