Planning a trip from Saint Dennis to Ironville, KY? This 194.6-mile journey will take you about 3 hours and 45 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, covering 97% of the route on roads like I-64 and the Henry Watterson Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of around $30, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. This drive stays within the Southeast region of Kentucky, offering a straightforward path without significant regional shifts. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient drive with minimal fuss.
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
97.3 miles from Saint Dennis, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
168.1 mi
3h 2m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10.5 mi
14m
US Route 60
4.6 mi
7m
US 60
4 mi
6m
Shawnee Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Cane Run Road
1 mi
2m
West Donta Road
0.6 mi
1m
Lynnview Drive
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 168.1 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Dennis, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on Lynnview Drive
0.5 mi·2 min·Lynnview Drive
2
Turn left onto South Crums Lane
356 ft·14 sec·South Crums Lane
3
Turn right onto KY 1934
1.0 mi·2 min·Cane Run Road
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 264 East
5
Merge onto I 264
2.5 mi·3 min·Shawnee Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 264
11 mi·14 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 64 East: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 64
68 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
12
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
13
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·US Route 60
14
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·13th Street
15
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi·1 min·Bob McCullough Drive
16
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi·43 sec·Roberts Drive
17
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi·1 min·West Donta Road
18
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft·8 sec·Pine Street
19
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft·22 sec·Brett Street
20
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft·16 sec·Tiffany Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under four hours, this trip from Saint Dennis to Ironville is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination or for a relaxed return. With only one major highway segment of 168.1 miles, you might consider one well-timed stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on longer stretches, and factor in the estimated $30 fuel cost. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure and arrival times with ease.
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 97.3 miles from Saint Dennis, KY, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.1 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.3 miles or 1h 54m 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 1m
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 Saint Dennis, 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 Saint Dennis, KY
This is one driving day of about 194.6 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Saint Dennis, 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 168.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 183.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 264 / Shawnee Expressway
Merge onto I 264 / Shawnee Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
14.8 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
15.7 mi into trip|~24m in|I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
5
183.8 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 181
Toward US 60
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.42 one way
$60.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.40
$66.81
premium
$4.89
$37.45
$74.90
diesel
$5.61
$42.97
$85.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.1 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
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.03
$7.78
EV Truck/SUV
77.8
0
$27.24
$12.45
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 18, 2026
Origin
Saint Dennis, KY
Late night
in Saint Dennis on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ironville, KY
Late night
in Ironville on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 to 6 mph3% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Jeffersonville, KY
97 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
20 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 45m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 80.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a substantial 97% of the journey utilizing major interstates and expressways. Expect long stretches of smooth, high-speed travel, including a significant 168.1-mile segment primarily on I-64. While the majority of the drive is on fast-paced roads, the transition between these main arteries like I-64, Henry Watterson Expressway, and US Route 60 is generally seamless. The character of the drive remains consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding, scenic byways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 264 / Shawnee Expressway.
Driving Effort6/10
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 194.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.8 miles (I 264 / Shawnee Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Saint Dennis, KY to Ironville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
83.6 mi in|~1h 38m|via I 64
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 194.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.1 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 1.8 miles (I 264 / Shawnee Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Camp Nelson 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 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
