How far is Frankfort, KY from Bardstown, KY?

The driving distance from Frankfort, KY to Bardstown, KY is about 55.4 miles (89.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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
55.36 mi
01h 04m
Flight
42.15 mi
67.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Frankfort.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.15 mi
Kilometers
67.84 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.36 mi
Kilometers
89.09 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 01h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bardstown
Sat, Apr 11, 9:15 AM EDT
Return by in Frankfort
Sat, Apr 11, 10:20 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Frankfort
2026-04-11T08:10
Arrive Bardstown
Sat, Apr 11, 9:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Frankfort
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Willisburg
KY

Human settlement in Washington County, Kentucky, United States of America

From Frankfort
27.7 mi
00h 32m
To Bardstown
27.7 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
75°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Bardstown.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Bardstown.

  1. 1

    Start on Elk Alley

    8 m · 7 sec · Elk Alley

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Mero Street

    1653 ft · 58 sec · Mero Street

  3. 3

    Continue on West Frankfort Connector

    2.8 mi · 4 min · West Frankfort Connector

  4. 4

    Continue on Lawrenceburg Road

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Lawrenceburg Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Frankfort Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Frankfort Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Bypass North

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Bypass North

  7. 7

    Continue on Old Frankfort Road

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Old Frankfort Road

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    155 m · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit right

    1884 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway

    33.8 mi · 36 min · Bluegrass Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Bardstown

    1611 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Springfield Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Springfield Road

  13. 13

    Continue on East Stephen Foster Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · East Stephen Foster Avenue

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout toward Court Square

    61 m · 3 sec · Court Square

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Court Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Bardstown.

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
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bluegrass Parkway
34.1 mi · 62%
Lawrenceburg Road
6.15 mi · 11%
Old Frankfort Road
4.92 mi · 9%
West Frankfort Connector
2.85 mi · 5%
Bypass North
2.54 mi · 5%
Frankfort Road
2.2 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Bluegrass Parkway

Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway

33.8 mi · 00h 36m

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
01h 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
42.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willisburg
00h 32m from Frankfort
Leave By
4:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Frankfort and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Bardstown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Bardstown?

The road trip is about 55.4 miles (89.1 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Willisburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.7 miles from Frankfort and 27.7 miles from Bardstown.

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

The direct path is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 4:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Frankfort and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Bardstown.

Stop Ideas Near Willisburg

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

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

BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

74 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Bardstown. Straight-line distance: 42.15 mi (67.84 km).

Frankfort

#1 Frankfort

County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city

Population27,715
Coordinates38.2009100, -84.8732800
Altitude155
CountryUnited States
Bardstown

#2 Bardstown

City in Kentucky

Population13,302
Coordinates37.8092300, -85.4669000
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Start: Frankfort (-84.87328, 38.20091)
End: Bardstown (-85.4669, 37.80923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 89 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.95 gal
7.39 L · about $7.35
Round trip
$14.71
3.9 gal · 14.78 L
Estimated CO2
17.3 kg one way
Round trip: 34.7 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.35 $14.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.29 $16.59
Premium $4.65 $9.08 $18.15
Diesel $5.30 $10.34 $20.69

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Frankfort and Bardstown. The current time is 08:10:56.

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.