Origin
Louisville, KY
Morning in Louisville on Wednesday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, KY to Buckner, KY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
28m
Distance
21.6 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Buckner, KY
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Trip Overview
This short, 21.6-mile drive from Louisville, KY to Buckner, KY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking only about 28 minutes. With a 94% highway share, it's a straightforward journey primarily utilizing I-71, I-64, and KY-146. The estimated fuel cost is around $3, making it an economical option. Given its brief duration, you won't need an overnight stay, allowing for a flexible schedule. This route is a simple transit within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Kentucky without significant regional shifts.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.8 miles from Louisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.5 miles on I-71, indicating a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. The roads are designed for efficient travel, transitioning smoothly between I-71 and I-64 before you merge onto KY-146. This drive is less about winding scenic byways and more about direct, efficient transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 17.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 64. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.6 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 West, I 64 East: New Albany, Saint Louis, Lexington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, I 64 East: New Albany, Saint...
8
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 64
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
7
19.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward KY 146: Buckner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward KY 146: Buckner
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| I 64 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| KY 146 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Jefferson Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Roy Wilkins Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Old Cedar Point Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 17.5 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Buckner, KY.
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto Roy Wilkins Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Roy Wilkins Avenue
3
Take the ramp
455 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 64 West, I 64 East: New Albany, Saint Louis, Lexington
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 64
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 64
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 6
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 71
17 mi
·
20 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 17
Toward KY 146: Buckner
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto KY 146
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
KY 146
10
Turn left onto Old Cedar Point Road
76 ft
·
3 sec
·
Old Cedar Point Road
11
Arrive at destination
Old Cedar Point Road
Trip Plan
For this quick 28-minute trip covering 21.6 miles, flexibility is your greatest advantage. You can easily depart at your convenience, and with the longest stretch being only 17.5 miles on I-71, extensive rest stops aren't necessary. Factor in the modest $3 fuel cost when planning your budget. A practical tip: be mindful of the transition from I-64 to KY-146, as this is where the highway focus shifts, and you'll want to be prepared for the change in road type.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.8 miles from Louisville, KY, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.5 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 21.6 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.8 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckner, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Louisville, 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 Louisville, KY
This is one driving day of about 21.6 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Louisville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 17.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.8 mi from Louisville, KY · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Louisville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buckner, KY
The final approach into Buckner, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Buckner, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.38 one way
$6.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.71 | $7.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.16 | $8.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.77 | $9.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.89 | $0.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Buckner, KY
Morning in Buckner on Wednesday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Louisville, KY to Buckner, KY covers 21.6 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 64, KY 146. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.8 miles from Louisville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.38 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.6 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Louisville, KY to Buckner, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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