How far is Elizabethtown, KY from Union, KY?

The driving distance from Elizabethtown, KY to Union, KY is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.53 mi
02h 27m
Flight
107.53 mi
173.06 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elizabethtown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.53 mi
Kilometers
173.06 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.53 mi
Kilometers
203.63 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 2:33 AM EDT
Return by in Elizabethtown
Thu, Apr 23, 5:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elizabethtown
2026-04-23T00:06
Arrive Union
Thu, Apr 23, 2:33 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elizabethtown
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Buckner
KY

City in Arkansas, USA

From Elizabethtown
63.3 mi
01h 13m
To Union
63.3 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabethtown and Union.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown and Union.

  1. 1

    Start on North Mulberry Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · North Mulberry Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight left

    1136 ft · 30 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    35.2 mi · 38 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport

    1.1 km · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 264 East: Watterson Expressway

    1.3 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Henry Watterson Expressway

    10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cincinnati

    1877 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    66.4 mi · 1 hr 12 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 14: Verona

    1880 ft · 52 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Verona-Mudlick Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Verona-Mudlick Road

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Old Union Road

    1906 ft · 52 sec · Old Union Road

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Union Road

    31 m · 2 sec · Old Union Road

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Old Union Road

    113 m · 13 sec · Old Union Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Union School Road

    45 m · 6 sec · Union School Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Union School Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabethtown and Union.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 71 North
66.8 mi · 53%
North Mulberry Street
37.6 mi · 30%
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi · 8%
Verona-Mudlick Road
2.28 mi · 2%
I 264 East
0.78 mi · 1%
I 264
0.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 71 North

Merge slight left

66.4 mi · 01h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.9 mi
107.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buckner
01h 13m from Elizabethtown
Leave By
1:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Elizabethtown and Sunny near Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elizabethtown to Union?

The road trip is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km) and usually takes 02h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Buckner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.3 miles from Elizabethtown and 63.3 miles from Union.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 107.6 miles (173.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.82 one way or $33.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elizabethtown and Sunny near Union.

Stop Ideas Near Buckner

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buckner, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buckner.

BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

32 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
RAIL

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

112 mi away
1301 Western Ave.
BUS

Cincinnati, OH

114 mi away
1005 Gilbert Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elizabethtown and Union. Straight-line distance: 107.53 mi (173.06 km).

Elizabethtown

#1 Elizabethtown

County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States

Population30,331
Coordinates37.6939500, -85.8591300
Altitude221
CountryUnited States
Union

#2 Union

Township in Boone County, Iowa

Population6,116
Coordinates38.9459000, -84.6805000
Altitude255
CountryUnited States
Start: Elizabethtown (-85.85913, 37.69395)
End: Union (-84.6805, 38.9459)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.46 gal
16.9 L · about $16.82
Round trip
$33.64
8.92 gal · 33.8 L
Estimated CO2
39.6 kg one way
Round trip: 79.3 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.82 $33.64
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.97 $37.94
Premium $4.65 $20.76 $41.51
Diesel $5.30 $23.66 $47.31

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Kentucky · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Elizabethtown and Union. The current time is 00:06:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.