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Trip from Burlington, KY to Elizabethtown, KY

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

Drive Time

2h 36m

Distance

134.8 mi

217 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 26m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m

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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census-designated place in Boone County, Kentucky, United States

Burlington, KY

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States

Elizabethtown, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Burlington, KY to Elizabethtown, KY covers 134.8 miles and takes about 2h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, I 65, Henry Watterson Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.4 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.07 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

67.4 miles from Burlington, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 78.4 mi 1h 25m
I 65 36 mi 39m
Henry Watterson Expressway 10 mi 13m
Burlington Pike 4.4 mi 7m
North Mulberry Street 2.1 mi 3m
Washington Street 0.2 mi <1m
Jefferson Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 78.4 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, KY and Elizabethtown, KY.

1

Start on KY 338

68 ft · 5 sec · Jefferson Street
2

Turn right onto KY 18

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Washington Street
3

Continue on KY 18

4.4 mi · 7 min · Burlington Pike
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

1.6 mi · 3 min
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto I 71; I 75

6.9 mi · 7 min · I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit onto I 71

72 mi · 1 hr 17 min · I 71
Exit 173 Toward I 71 South: Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Exit 5 Toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway Use the slight left lane.
8

Continue on I 264

10.0 mi · 13 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
12

Merge onto I 65

36 mi · 39 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 94 Toward US 62, KY 61: Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

166 ft · 4 sec
Toward US 62: Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto US 62; KY 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Mulberry Street
16

Arrive at destination

US 62; KY 61

Trip Plan

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 67.4 miles from Burlington, KY, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 30 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabethtown, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Burlington, 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 Burlington, KY

This is one driving day of about 134.8 miles and 2h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Burlington, 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 78.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Worthington Hills, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worthington Hills, KY

67 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

Warsaw, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Worthington Hills, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Burlington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 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

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Brooks

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brooks, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Osteria Italian Seafood

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Heine Brothers Coffee - Chenoweth Lane

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Matthews, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.6

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15028935103

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

2.2 mi

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.9 mi

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant - Brooks

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.9

Brooks, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15022771223

Visit website

Osteria Italian Seafood

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 86.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15024235822

Visit website

Slim Chickens

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 134.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+12705060980

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.9

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15029554008

Visit website

Yum Yum Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.9

Glencoe, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18596433300

Visit website

Con Huevos!

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15023843744

Visit website

Palermo's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.4

La Grange, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15022650039

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Chenoweth Lane

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.6

St Matthews, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15028935103

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15023682820

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15029364313

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15026371060

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15026341243

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15029199676

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Safai Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15023843555

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 134.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 96.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 132.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louis...
8
95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis

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 12 Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
95.2 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Take the exit toward US 62, KY 61: Elizabethtown

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 94 Toward US 62, KY 61: Elizabethtown
8
132.7 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 62: Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 62: Kentucky High School Basketball H...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.07 one way

$42.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.14 $46.28
premium $4.89 $25.94 $51.88
diesel $5.61 $29.76 $59.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.4 0 $14.15 $6.47
Efficient EV 33.7 0 $11.80 $5.39
EV Truck/SUV 53.9 0 $18.87 $8.63

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 15, 2026

Origin

Burlington, KY

Afternoon in Burlington on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabethtown, KY

Afternoon in Elizabethtown on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°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

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

2h 36m 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

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 134.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

134.8 mi in 2h 36m, mostly highway — 78.4 mi of that is on I 71.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 11 significant decision points across 134.8 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 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Burlington, KY and Elizabethtown, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Louisville.

Indianapolis

95.1 mi in | ~1h 50m

Louisville

95.2 mi in | ~1h 50m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 134.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.4 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 Elizabethtown, 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 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Elizabethtown, KY before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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