Dairy Bar
Near the start, right off the route
Whitley City, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+16063762124
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
199.3 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whitley City, KY
Kelly
Ironville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Whitley City, KY to Ironville, KY covers 199.3 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, I 75, US Route 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.5 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.16 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
99.6 miles from Whitley City, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 199.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 50m highway drive covering 199.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.5 miles on I 64.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 75. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.3 miles in near KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway.
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 199.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 31.3 miles (KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto Brett Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Whitley City, KY to Ironville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Winchester along the way.
Winchester
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 84.5 mi | 1h 30m |
| I 75 | 32.2 mi | 34m |
| US Route 27 | 21.4 mi | 24m |
| KY 461 | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| Boonesborough Road | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| US Route 60 | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| KY 914 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Whitley City, KY and Ironville, KY.
Start on KY 478
Turn left onto US 27
Continue on US 27; KY 90
Take the exit onto KY 90
Turn right onto KY 1247
Turn right onto KY 914
Turn right onto KY 80
Take the exit
Turn straight onto KY 461
Continue on US 25
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn right onto KY 627
Continue on KY 627
Turn left onto KY 627
Continue on KY 627
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn left onto KY 766
At end of road, turn right onto KY 766
Turn sharp left onto KY 766
Turn right onto Pine Street
Turn right onto Brett Street
Continue on Tiffany Drive
Arrive at destination
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.
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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ironville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Whitley City, 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 Whitley City, KY
This is one driving day of about 199.3 miles and 3h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.6 mi from Whitley City, KY · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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.
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.6 miles from Whitley City, 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 84.5 miles.
The final approach into Ironville, 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 Ironville, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Whitley City, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+16063762124
Limestone Grille & Restaurant
Mt Vernon, Kentucky
Sante Fe Mexican Restaurant
Whitley City, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Whitley City, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+16063762124
Early in the drive, short detour
Mt Vernon, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+16062560131
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Whitley City, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16063769402
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Whitley City, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+16063768400
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Berea, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+18597563089
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Somerset, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+16064254859
Near the start, short detour
Whitley City, Kentucky
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+16063762624
Near the start, short detour
Somerset, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16064519944
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18595850406
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Richmond, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18596249920
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Richmond, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–5 pm
+18593027610
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Winchester, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+18599793377
Early in the drive, right off the route
Mt Vernon, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+16062561000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Ashland, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+16063298888
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$31.16 one way
$62.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.21 | $68.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.35 | $76.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.00 | $88.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.93 | $9.57 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.76 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Whitley City on Friday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Ironville on Friday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
51°F
Richmond, KY
100 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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