Spanning 128.3 miles, this trek from Radcliff to Burlington is a straightforward journey through Kentucky that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via North Dixie Boulevard, Dixie Highway North, and I-264, you will find this route keeps you within the Southeast region throughout the entire drive. It is a practical option if you need to travel between these two points efficiently without the complexity of a multi-day itinerary.
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
64.2 miles from Radcliff, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
79.9 mi
1h 26m
Dixie Highway North
25.9 mi
36m
Henry Watterson Expressway
14.7 mi
20m
Burlington Pike
4.5 mi
7m
North Dixie Boulevard
1.3 mi
1m
Elm Road
0.5 mi
1m
Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Jefferson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 79.9 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Radcliff, KY and Burlington, KY.
1
Start on Elm Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Road
2
Turn left onto US 31W
1.3 mi·1 min·North Dixie Boulevard
3
Continue on US 31W
26 mi·36 min·Dixie Highway North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 264: Watterson ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·40 sec
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
6
Continue on I 264
15 mi·20 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 23AToward I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
8.9 mi·9 min·I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 181Toward KY 18: Florence, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto KY 18
3.1 mi·4 min·Burlington Pike
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on KY 18
1.4 mi·2 min·Burlington Pike
13
Continue on KY 18
0.2 mi·28 sec·Washington Street
14
Turn left onto KY 338
68 ft·1 sec·Jefferson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
KY 338
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. To make the most of your 2-hour and 35-minute drive, try to avoid peak local traffic hours on Dixie Highway to keep your travel time consistent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $19 estimate is based on standard consumption; filling up before you leave Radcliff ensures you won't have to hunt for a station mid-trip. If you find yourself needing a break, plan your single stop for the midpoint to stretch your legs. Staying alert is key on this turn-heavy route, so keep your focus on the local road signage throughout the journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Radcliff, KY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.9 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 23m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, 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 128.3 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 71 for about 79.9 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.1 and 128.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
43.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
123.4 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 181
Toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
6
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|KY 18 / Burlington Pike
Turn left onto KY 18 / Burlington Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|KY 338 / Jefferson Street
Turn left onto KY 338 / Jefferson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.06 one way
$40.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.02
$44.05
premium
$4.89
$24.69
$49.38
diesel
$5.61
$28.33
$56.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.5
0
$13.47
$6.16
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.23
$5.13
EV Truck/SUV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Radcliff, KY
Late night
in Radcliff on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, KY
Late night
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 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
2h 35m 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.
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...
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway share. You will be navigating local arteries for the duration of the 128.3-mile trip, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The experience is defined by frequent turns and changing road conditions rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open pavement. Because you are primarily sticking to local routes like Dixie Highway North, the pace remains steady but demands more engagement than a standard highway trek. Be prepared for a driving style that favors local navigation over high-speed transit.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Dixie Highway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 128.3 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 43.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 128.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Burlington, 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 43.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.4 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burlington, KY before heading back.
