How far is Louisville, KY from Nashville, TN?
The driving distance from Louisville, KY to Nashville, TN is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Barren County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Louisville and Nashville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville and Nashville.
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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
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4
Turn right onto South 1st Street
68 m · 4 sec · South 1st Street
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 65 South: Nashville
1087 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left
170.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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7
Continue on I 24 East: Chattanooga, Knoxville
1.4 mi · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward James Robertson Parkway, State Capitol
872 ft · 23 sec
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9
Continue on Interstate Drive
114 m · 6 sec · Interstate Drive
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10
Turn right onto James Robertson Parkway
1.1 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
39 m · 7 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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12
Turn right onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1652 ft · 43 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto 7th Avenue North
1260 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue North
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Louisville and Nashville.
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
171 mi · 03h 06m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Louisville and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Nashville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Louisville to Nashville?
The road trip is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Park City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Louisville and 87.1 miles from Nashville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.08 one way or $48.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Louisville and Nashville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Louisville and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near Nashville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Louisville and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 154.92 mi (249.32 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 Nashville
The twenty-second most populous city in the United States and the center of the Nashville metropolitan area.
| Population | 684,410 |
| Coordinates | 36.1658900, -86.7844400 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nashville (-86.78444, 36.16589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.92 | $24.08 | $48.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
| Premium | $4.91 | $30.17 | $60.33 |
| Diesel | $6.10 | $37.52 | $75.03 |
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 · Oct 21, 2026