How far is Louisville, KY from Cave City, KY?
The driving distance from Louisville, KY to Cave City, KY is about 85.6 miles (137.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Louisville and Cave City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville and Cave City.
-
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
78 m · 16 sec · West Jefferson Street
-
2
Turn left onto South 6th Street
87 m · 15 sec · South 6th Street
-
3
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
2397 ft · 1 min · West Liberty Street
-
4
Turn right onto South 1st Street
68 m · 4 sec · South 1st Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 65 South: Nashville
1087 ft · 27 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
82.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward KY 70, KY 90: Cave City, Glasgow
2073 ft · 56 sec
-
8
Turn left onto Mammoth Cave Road
1292 ft · 32 sec · Mammoth Cave Road
-
9
Turn left onto Mammoth Cave Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Mammoth Cave Street
-
10
Continue on Broadway Street
1142 ft · 23 sec · Broadway Street
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Louisville and Cave City.
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 65 South
Merge slight left
82.8 mi · 01h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Louisville and Sunny near Cave City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Louisville to Cave City?
The road trip is about 85.6 miles (137.7 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.8 miles from Louisville and 42.7 miles from Cave City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 3:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.39 one way or $22.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Louisville and Cave City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Louisville and Sunny near Cave City.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Louisville and Cave City. Straight-line distance: 77.96 mi (125.47 km).
#1 Louisville
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
| Population | 760,026 |
| Coordinates | 38.2542400, -85.7594100 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cave City
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,426 |
| Coordinates | 37.1367200, -85.9569200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cave City (-85.95692, 37.13672)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.39 | $22.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.84 | $25.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.06 | $28.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.02 | $32.04 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.