Origin
Saint Matthews, KY
Late night in Saint Matthews on Tuesday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Matthews, KY to Ironville, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
182.6 mi
294 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Matthews, KY
Jo Kassis
Ironville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Matthews, KY to Ironville, KY is 182.6 miles and takes about 3h 29m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Consider this drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground with minimal complexity.
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
91.3 miles from Saint Matthews, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 168.1 mi | 3h 2m |
| US Route 60 | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Shelbyville Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West Donta Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bob McCullough Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Roberts Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 168.1 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Matthews, KY and Ironville, KY.
1
Start on Shelbyville Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Shelbyville Road
2
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 264 West: Watterson, Expressway
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Expressway, Lexington
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19A
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
6
Merge onto I 64
68 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 64
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 181
Toward US 60
10
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
11
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US Route 60
12
Continue on US 60
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
13th Street
13
Turn left onto KY 766
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bob McCullough Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Roberts Drive
15
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Donta Road
16
Turn right onto Pine Street
157 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pine Street
17
Turn right onto Brett Street
524 ft
·
22 sec
·
Brett Street
18
Continue on Tiffany Drive
382 ft
·
16 sec
·
Tiffany Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Tiffany Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 29m estimated drive time, leaving Saint Matthews in the morning allows ample time to reach Ironville before evening. With only one recommended stop and the majority of the trip on I 64, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Plan your fuel before departing or at a major service area along I 64, as the $29 estimated fuel cost suggests it's a manageable expense. The longest stretch of 168.1 miles on I 64 means you won't need frequent fuel stops, but it's wise to be aware of your tank level before entering that segment.
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 91.3 miles from Saint Matthews, KY, or about 1h 44m 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m
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 Matthews, 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 Matthews, KY
This is one driving day of about 182.6 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Saint Matthews, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.3 miles from Saint Matthews, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 71.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Expressway, Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Express...
8
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
71.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
$28.55 one way
$57.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.14 | $70.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.32 | $80.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
| Efficient EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73 | 0 | $25.56 | $11.69 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Ironville, KY
Late night in Ironville on Tuesday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Jeffersonville, KY
91 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 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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 97% of the 182.6 miles on interstates and major routes. You'll experience a significant stretch of 168.1 miles on I 64, indicating long, uninterrupted highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely marking a change from dense exits to more spread-out local traffic.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 US Route 60. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 182.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Matthews, KY to Ironville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
71.6 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via I 64
About the Cities
Arriving in Ironville, KY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Ironville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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