How far is Horse Cave, KY from Ironville, KY?
The driving distance from Horse Cave, KY to Ironville, KY is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.4 miles (316 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horse Cave and Ironville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horse Cave and Ironville.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
-
2
Take the ramp slight right
1696 ft · 42 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
35.2 mi · 38 min
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
-
5
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 West: Frankfort
571 ft · 16 sec
-
7
Turn right onto Lexington Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
-
8
Continue on Versailles Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
-
9
Take the exit straight toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
2735 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
-
11
Turn left onto North Broadway
1 mi · 2 min · North Broadway
-
12
Turn left onto I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
2515 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
16.6 mi · 19 min
-
15
Keep slight left
83.6 mi · 1 hr 30 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
2188 ft · 54 sec
-
17
Turn left
4 mi · 6 min
-
18
Turn left onto US Route 60
4.6 mi · 7 min · US Route 60
-
19
Continue on 13th Street
1363 ft · 28 sec · 13th Street
-
20
Turn left onto Bob McCullough Drive
2602 ft · 1 min · Bob McCullough Drive
-
21
At the end of the road, turn right onto Roberts Drive
1520 ft · 44 sec · Roberts Drive
-
22
Turn sharp left onto West Donta Road
2995 ft · 1 min · West Donta Road
-
23
Turn right onto Pine Street
48 m · 9 sec · Pine Street
-
24
Turn right onto Brett Street
160 m · 23 sec · Brett Street
-
25
Continue on Tiffany Drive
116 m · 17 sec · Tiffany Drive
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tiffany Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Horse Cave and Ironville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Keep slight left
83.6 mi · 01h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Horse Cave and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ironville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Horse Cave to Ironville?
The road trip is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Mount Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.8 miles from Horse Cave and 118.5 miles from Ironville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.4 miles (316 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.45 one way or $62.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Horse Cave and Ironville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Horse Cave and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ironville.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Vernon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Vernon.
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Horse Cave and Ironville. Straight-line distance: 196.37 mi (316.03 km).
#1 Horse Cave
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 37.1795000, -85.9069200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ironville
A city located in Lawrence County, Kentucky.
| Population | 288,649 |
| Coordinates | 38.4564700, -82.6923800 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tiffany Drive (-82.692391, 38.456469)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.47 | $70.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.81 | $77.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.24 | $88.47 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.