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Trip from Irvington, KY to Covington, KY

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

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

148.3 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 44m ★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m

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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Downtown Irvington, KY, KY

Irvington, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Downtown Covington, KY, KY

Covington, KY

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Trip Overview

The drive from Irvington, KY to Covington, KY covers 148.3 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, SR 135, I 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.3 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.19 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

74.1 miles from Irvington, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 85.3 mi 1h 33m
SR 135 16 mi 18m
I 64 16 mi 18m
1st Avenue 9.6 mi 17m
SR 265 7.4 mi 8m
I 265 6.4 mi 7m
Gene Snyder Freeway 3.4 mi 3m
KY 79 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 85.3 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Irvington, KY and Covington, KY.

1

Start on Walnut Street

28 ft · 3 sec · Walnut Street
2

Turn right onto KY 79

9.6 mi · 17 min · 1st Avenue
3

Turn left onto KY 79

2.3 mi · 2 min · KY 79
4

Continue on SR 135

16 mi · 18 min · SR 135
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec
6

Merge onto I 64

16 mi · 18 min · I 64
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 265; SR 62
Exit 121 Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
8

Continue on SR 265; SR 62

7.4 mi · 8 min · SR 265; SR 62
9

Continue on KY 841

3.4 mi · 3 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati Use the right lane.
11

Merge onto I 71

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 71

18 mi · 21 min · I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 191 Toward 12th Street, Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Pike Street, Covington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on Simon Kenton Way

503 ft · 18 sec · Simon Kenton Way
Toward I 71 North, I 75 North: Cincinnati Use the straight / left lanes.
15

Turn right onto US 25; US 42; US 127

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Pike Street
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on West 7th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West 7th Street
17

Arrive at destination

East 7th Street

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 74.1 miles from Irvington, KY, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.3 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 33 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.1 miles or 1h 31m 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 22m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Irvington, 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 Irvington, KY

This is one driving day of about 148.3 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Irvington, 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 85.3 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

74 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

Greenville, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Worthington Hills, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.1 miles from Irvington, 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 85.3 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

Riverside Korean Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 148.3

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18592911484

Visit website

Coppin's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

0.1 mi

Bouquet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 137.7

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18593718356

Visit website

Starlight Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Floyds Knobs, Indiana

0.9 mi

7 Brew Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jeffersonville, Indiana

1 mi

Riverside Korean Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 148.3

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18592911484

Visit website

Coppin's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 148.3

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+18599056800

Visit website

Bouquet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 148.3

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18594917777

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 137.7

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18592828865

Visit website

Green Valley Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Irvington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12705475697

Visit website

El Camino's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.6

Brandenburg, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12704223110

Visit website

Twin Peaks

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 137.7

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18598170555

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.3

Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18592616112

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 137.7

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18593718356

Visit website

Starlight Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 42.4

Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18129231404

Visit website

7 Brew Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 52.9

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+18129243194

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.3

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.3

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15133812141

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.3

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 148.3

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15137212233

Visit website

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop and Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.6

Brandenburg, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+12709981136

Visit website

Big 4 Escape

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.9

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 2–8 pm

+18127251046

Visit website

American Sign Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 148.3

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15135416366

Visit website

Howard Steamboat Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 52.9

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18122833728

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 44.2 and 147.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
44.2 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 265; SR 62

Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62 toward I 265 East, SR 62 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 121 Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
6
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 71 North: Cincinnati

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
129 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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
147.1 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Take the exit toward 12th Street, Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Pike Street, Covington

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 191 Toward 12th Street, Martin Luther King Junior B...
6
147.5 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | US 25; US 42; US 127 / West Pike Street

Turn right onto US 25; US 42; US 127 / West Pike Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.19 one way

$46.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.46 $50.91
premium $4.89 $28.54 $57.08
diesel $5.61 $32.74 $65.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Jeffersonville Town Center - Tesla Supercharger

Jeffersonville, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Florence, KY - Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Florence, KY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Louisville, KY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Valley Plaza Parkway - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Mitchell, KY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Walmart 1476 (Clarksville, IN)

Clarksville, IN

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Meijer #164 Louisville Town Center(Louisville, KY)

Louisville, KY

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Corydon

Corydon, IN

EV Connect

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 440

Pendleton, KY

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 4 ChargePoint Network: 3 EV Connect: 2 Electrify America: 2 eVgo Network: 2 Non-Networked: 1 NOODOE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12
Efficient EV 37.1 0 $12.98 $5.93
EV Truck/SUV 59.3 0 $20.76 $9.49

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Irvington, KY

Afternoon in Irvington on Saturday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Covington, KY

Afternoon in Covington on Saturday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

13 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 55m 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 is a 2h 55m highway drive covering 148.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and SR 135. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.3 miles on I 71.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and SR 135. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.2 miles in near I 265; SR 62.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 148.3 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 44.2 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 55m. Total distance: 148.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Irvington, KY to Covington, KY covers 148.3 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 71, SR 135, I 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.1 miles from Irvington, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 148.3 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Irvington, KY to Covington, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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