How far is Florence, KY from Horse Cave, KY?

The driving distance from Florence, KY to Horse Cave, KY is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.7 miles (231.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
167.22 mi
03h 08m
Flight
143.7 mi
231.26 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Florence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.7 mi
Kilometers
231.26 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.22 mi
Kilometers
269.11 km
Drive Time
03h 08m

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 03h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Horse Cave
Sat, Apr 18, 9:09 AM CDT
Return by in Florence
Sat, Apr 18, 1:17 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Florence
2026-04-18T07:01
Arrive Horse Cave
Sat, Apr 18, 10:09 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:08 AM to 10:08 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Florence
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Norwood
KY

City in Kentucky

From Florence
83.6 mi
01h 34m
To Horse Cave
83.6 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Florence and Horse Cave.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florence and Horse Cave.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    8 m · 3 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1288 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville

    2100 ft · 53 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    6.9 mi · 7 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville

    71.5 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway

    2346 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway

    10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway

  9. 9

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

    936 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis

    963 ft · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Nashville

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    72.4 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 218: Horse Cave

    1652 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Flint Ridge Road

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Flint Ridge Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Florence and Horse Cave.

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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 71 South
78.8 mi · 47%
I 65 South
73.4 mi · 44%
Henry Watterson Expressway
9.99 mi · 6%
Flint Ridge Road
2.5 mi · 1%
I 264 West
0.44 mi
I 65
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 South

Merge slight left

72.4 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
143.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Norwood
01h 34m from Florence
Leave By
10:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Florence and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Horse Cave.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Florence to Horse Cave?

The road trip is about 167.2 miles (269.1 km) and usually takes 03h 08m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Norwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Florence and 83.6 miles from Horse Cave.

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

The direct path is about 143.7 miles (231.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.25 one way or $44.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Florence and Horse Cave, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Florence and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Horse Cave.

Stop Ideas Near Norwood

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Norwood, 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 Norwood.

BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

13 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Florence and Horse Cave. Straight-line distance: 143.7 mi (231.26 km).

Florence

#1 Florence

City in Kentucky, US

Population33,423
Coordinates38.9989500, -84.6266100
Altitude282
CountryUnited States
Horse Cave

#2 Horse Cave

City in Kentucky

Population2,415
Coordinates37.1795000, -85.9069200
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Florence (-84.62661, 38.99895)
End: Horse Cave (-85.90692, 37.1795)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 269 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.9 gal
22.34 L · about $22.25
Round trip
$44.50
11.8 gal · 44.68 L
Estimated CO2
52.4 kg one way
Round trip: 104.9 kg / 231 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.25 $44.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.09 $50.19
Premium $4.65 $27.46 $54.92
Diesel $5.30 $31.29 $62.59

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 18, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Florence, KY and Horse Cave, KY. The current time in Florence is 07:01:45, although it is 06:01:45 in Horse Cave.

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.