Louisville traffic

[Mickeyfan0805]

I'm mapping out a trip and noting that I will likely hit Louisville, KY right around rush hour on a Tuesday (5ish). There are a couple of routes to take southbound (through the city, 265-64-264 around the west or 265 much further around to the east.

Anyone know what traffic is like and which route is likely to be the best bet?

Thanks.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Have driven through Louisville many times. Yes, there are some slow times, but just deal with it. It's like any large city. We always take 65 straight through. We usually hit it early to late afternoon. I always try to stay in the middle lane through town and as you get south it opens up to at least 4 lanes.

[Mickeyfan0805]

jkwilson wrote:

If you are going to or beyond Bowling Green, I'd consider I39/I64/US231. Only slightly longer time, shorter distance and it even cuts down on your travel through Chicago. No big cities to deal with and 231 is a nice road.

Bowling Green is actually my first night stop-over. Unfortunately, we are on the lake in WI (just north of Milwaukee), which means going out to 39 would add 50 miles to the day. It is hard for me to swallow adding so much mileage.

I will admit, however, that taking Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville out of the picture is an intriguing concept!

[jkwilson]

If you are going south, you are talking 65. Stay on it. Don't even consider 264 or 265.

If you are going to or beyond Bowling Green, I'd consider I39/I64/US231. Only slightly longer time, shorter distance and it even cuts down on your travel through Chicago. No big cities to deal with and 231 is a nice road.

[ADAD437]

if you are staying on 65 south all the way then yes stay on 65. if you go around you will go way out of your way and still come back on 65 in the middle of the home bound traffic.

[Mickeyfan0805]

ADAD437 wrote:
it would be very helpful to know what direction you are going out of louisville.

Sorry - I'm southbound. Will be headed from SE WI that morning. I'm 400 miles from Louisville, and have to wait until 8:30a to leave due to Chicago traffic. With potential slow-downs, a couple gas stops, and the lost hour moving into the eastern time zone, I'm anticipating 4:30-5:00 is my likely arrival time.

I appreciate everyone's input. I'll probably just go through the city and gut it out.

Thanks!

[ADAD437]

it would be very helpful to know what direction you are going out of louisville.

[melandme]

I worked on the east side of Louisville near the I 265 and 71 and would not recommend it at 5 o'clock. 265 is 2 lanes in each direction. My drive home in the direction you will be going, usually took over an hour compared to 35 minutes in the morning. That was just driving 10 miles on 265. I 65 is 3 to 5 lanes all the from Southern IN thru Louisville. Traffic does slow down but there are more lanes. If you want to avoid the toll, $7, I would go west and use 265, 64, 264 to 65. Cannot tell you what traffic is like because I seldom use those roads. I would stay on 65 straight.

[john_bet]

Mortimer Brewster wrote:
If you are using Google Maps, you may want to set it to avoid tolls and see how that changes their recommendation for a route through Louisville. There are some toll bridges in the area.

The toll bridges are on I- 65 and the new east end bridge. One bridge is for northbound traffic and the other is for southbound traffic. There are no toll booths as they take a picture of you plates and mail you a bill unless you have a transponder. My advice hold up somewhere for a couple of hours or just go for it.

[Merrykalia]

Our son used to live there and he used Google Maps to navigate in/around Louisville most every day. He says traffic there is so erratic, it's good on road roadway one day, awful the next. Use Google Maps when you get close and it will route you whichever way is quicker at that time.

[Johno02]

Probably straight through, and just ride out the rush.

[2oldman]

Your best bet is to look at a traffic flow map on your smartphone or computer. That's the only way to actually know at the time. You may have no problem at all.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

If you are using Google Maps, you may want to set it to avoid tolls and see how that changes their recommendation for a route through Louisville. There are some toll bridges in the area.