How far is Nashville, TN from Louisville, KY?
The driving distance from Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY is about 174.3 miles (280.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m 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 16m.
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.
Human settlement in Barren County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nashville and Louisville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville and Louisville.
-
1
Start on the route
2013 ft · 3 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
1718 ft · 44 sec · Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto James Robertson Parkway
1.5 km · 2 min · James Robertson Parkway
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4
Turn left onto Spring Street
806 ft · 14 sec · Spring Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 31E North: Ellington Parkway
1003 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ellington Parkway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Ellington Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Louisville
1.4 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left
4 mi · 4 min
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9
Continue straight
1170 ft · 14 sec
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10
Keep slight left
161.6 mi · 2 hr 55 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Brook Street
934 ft · 25 sec
-
12
Continue on South Brook Street
812 ft · 35 sec · South Brook Street
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13
Turn left onto West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
2198 ft · 1 min · West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto South 5th Street
992 ft · 37 sec · South 5th Street
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15
Turn left onto West Jefferson Street
67 m · 8 sec · West Jefferson Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nashville and Louisville.
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 North
Keep slight left
162 mi · 02h 55m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Nashville and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Louisville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nashville to Louisville?
The road trip is about 174.3 miles (280.5 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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 Nashville and 87.1 miles from Louisville.
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 19.4 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.54 one way or $47.07 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 Nashville and Louisville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Nashville and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Louisville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nashville and Louisville. Straight-line distance: 154.92 mi (249.32 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: Louisville (-85.75941, 38.25424)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 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 | $3.83 | $23.54 | $47.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.27 | $26.24 | $52.48 |
| Premium | $4.68 | $28.75 | $57.50 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $36.78 | $73.57 |
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 Tennessee · Oct 21, 2026