Scenic drives are, hands down, our favorite way to explore Kentucky. While we’re all for lacing up our shoes and enjoying a hike or booking a weekend getaway someplace special, there’s something so wholly enjoyable about hopping in the car and going for a drive. There are so many scenic drives in Kentucky that it would take a lifetime to experience them all. That’s why we’re starting small, with a year’s worth of scenic drives sure to have you marveling over the beauty of the Bluegrass State.
January: Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway
Jim Bauer/Flickr Let’s kick off our year of scenic drives in Kentucky with a showstopper, shall we? The Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway runs roughly 200 miles through the state and branches off at various points of interest, most notably, Cumberland Falls. Cumberland Way, Cumberland Wy, Kentucky 42602, USA
February: Interstate 64
Brent Moore/Flickr A splendidly scenic stretch of road, Interstate 64 practically runs through all of Kentucky and is a beautiful drive full of numerous points of interest and stunning dashboard views. Interstate 64 travels 191 miles from Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville, to the mountain town of Ashland, passing through the heart of Horse (and Bourbon) Country along the way, allowing for lots of opportunities for a romantic dinner or distillery tour during this month of love. Interstate 64, I-64, Louisville, KY, USA
March: Red River Gorge Scenic Byway
USDA Forest Services One of the most beautiful drives in the country, the 46-mile Red River Gorge Scenic Byway is a perfect early spring day trip as the Bluegrass begins to thaw. The journey begins with the 900-foot Nada Tunnel; known as the “Gateway to Red River Gorge,” this former railroad tunnel provides a dramatic entry into the park, setting the stage for the spectacular scenery to come. Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
April: Scenic Drive Along the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky
Leonid Andronov/iStock via Getty Images Plus Northern Kentucky often gets lost in the shuffle, so we’re putting it on your radar this month with a scenic drive along the Ohio River that will have you marveling over some truly exceptional bridges, riverfronts, and cityscapes in this oft-forgotten region of the Bluegrass. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY, USA
May: Old Frankfort Pike/Versailles Road
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook May means Derby Day, and we’re celebrating with a drive through Horse Country. Hop in the car and travel down Old Frankfort Pike and Versailles Road, a gorgeous route lined with stone and white picket fencing, rolling blue hills, and frolicking horses. Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY, USAVersailles Road, Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY, USA
June: Country Music Highway
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook Country roads, take me home. This month’s scenic drive is a fan favorite: U.S. 23, otherwise known as the Country Music Highway. Running north-south through seven counties in eastern Kentucky, the 144 miles that comprise Kentucky’s stretch of the Country Music Highway make a great weekend trip to enjoy beautiful scenery, lively music, and friendly folks eager to share the character and history of the area. Roll down the windows and crank up your favorite country tunes! U.S. 23, US-23, Pikeville, KY, USA
July: I-24/Grand Rivers
Lighthouse Landing/Facebook We love the water here in Kentucky, and Grand Rivers is our very own coastal getaway! We recommend taking Interstate 24 around Grand Rivers for some sublime sunsets and water views, and perhaps turning this road trip into an overnight adventure at Lighthouse Landing. Interstate 24, I-24, United States
August: Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway
Different_Brian/iStock via Getty Images Plus The Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway runs north/south along Kentucky Lake, right through the heart of the Land Between the Lakes. It’s a beautiful drive to take during the waning days of summer, when the bison graze lazily and the hazy sunsets seem to last forever.
September: Kentucky Route 245
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest/Facebook Kentucky 245 is a scenic stretch of road through the center of the state that’s unbelievably beautiful in the fall. As the leaves begin to chance, we recommend stopping to admire the fall foliage at Bernheim Arboretum. Kentucky 245, KY-245, Bardstown, KY, USA
October: Sky Bridge Road
Anthony/Flickr This month’s drive is short and sweet, and we encourage y’all to get out and explore a bit on foot. Accessible from the Bert T. Combs Parkway, Sky Bridge Road is just a few miles long and offers numerous pull outs and spots to stop and enjoy a scenic hike. Red River Adventure Campground & Canoe Rentals, 394 Sky Bridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
November: KY 536
The Rabbit Hash General Store/Facebook As the year winds down and holiday shopping ramps up, we’re headed on a drive to the original “superstore” in Kentucky: The Rabbit Hash General Store. You’ll find this old-fashioned store along KY 536, a drive that’s wonderfully scenic during the early days of winter.
December: U.S. 150 Through Bardstown
Visit Bardstown/Facebook As the year winds down, we’re packing up the car and driving to Kentucky’s very own Christmas town: Bardstown. You’ll drive U.S. 150 from Springfield to Bardstown, and we recommend staying to celebrate the holidays for Christmas Round Bardstown! U.S. 150, US-150, Bardstown, KY, USA
Load up the car and hit the road — the Bluegrass is calling, friends!
Jim Bauer/Flickr
Let’s kick off our year of scenic drives in Kentucky with a showstopper, shall we? The Cumberland Cultural Heritage Highway runs roughly 200 miles through the state and branches off at various points of interest, most notably, Cumberland Falls.
Cumberland Way, Cumberland Wy, Kentucky 42602, USA
Brent Moore/Flickr
A splendidly scenic stretch of road, Interstate 64 practically runs through all of Kentucky and is a beautiful drive full of numerous points of interest and stunning dashboard views. Interstate 64 travels 191 miles from Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville, to the mountain town of Ashland, passing through the heart of Horse (and Bourbon) Country along the way, allowing for lots of opportunities for a romantic dinner or distillery tour during this month of love.
Interstate 64, I-64, Louisville, KY, USA
USDA Forest Services
One of the most beautiful drives in the country, the 46-mile Red River Gorge Scenic Byway is a perfect early spring day trip as the Bluegrass begins to thaw. The journey begins with the 900-foot Nada Tunnel; known as the “Gateway to Red River Gorge,” this former railroad tunnel provides a dramatic entry into the park, setting the stage for the spectacular scenery to come.
Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
Leonid Andronov/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Northern Kentucky often gets lost in the shuffle, so we’re putting it on your radar this month with a scenic drive along the Ohio River that will have you marveling over some truly exceptional bridges, riverfronts, and cityscapes in this oft-forgotten region of the Bluegrass.
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY, USA
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook
May means Derby Day, and we’re celebrating with a drive through Horse Country. Hop in the car and travel down Old Frankfort Pike and Versailles Road, a gorgeous route lined with stone and white picket fencing, rolling blue hills, and frolicking horses.
Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY, USAVersailles Road, Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY, USA
Country roads, take me home. This month’s scenic drive is a fan favorite: U.S. 23, otherwise known as the Country Music Highway. Running north-south through seven counties in eastern Kentucky, the 144 miles that comprise Kentucky’s stretch of the Country Music Highway make a great weekend trip to enjoy beautiful scenery, lively music, and friendly folks eager to share the character and history of the area. Roll down the windows and crank up your favorite country tunes!
U.S. 23, US-23, Pikeville, KY, USA
Lighthouse Landing/Facebook
We love the water here in Kentucky, and Grand Rivers is our very own coastal getaway! We recommend taking Interstate 24 around Grand Rivers for some sublime sunsets and water views, and perhaps turning this road trip into an overnight adventure at Lighthouse Landing.
Interstate 24, I-24, United States
Different_Brian/iStock via Getty Images Plus
The Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway runs north/south along Kentucky Lake, right through the heart of the Land Between the Lakes. It’s a beautiful drive to take during the waning days of summer, when the bison graze lazily and the hazy sunsets seem to last forever.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest/Facebook
Kentucky 245 is a scenic stretch of road through the center of the state that’s unbelievably beautiful in the fall. As the leaves begin to chance, we recommend stopping to admire the fall foliage at Bernheim Arboretum.
Kentucky 245, KY-245, Bardstown, KY, USA
Anthony/Flickr
This month’s drive is short and sweet, and we encourage y’all to get out and explore a bit on foot. Accessible from the Bert T. Combs Parkway, Sky Bridge Road is just a few miles long and offers numerous pull outs and spots to stop and enjoy a scenic hike.
Red River Adventure Campground & Canoe Rentals, 394 Sky Bridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
The Rabbit Hash General Store/Facebook
As the year winds down and holiday shopping ramps up, we’re headed on a drive to the original “superstore” in Kentucky: The Rabbit Hash General Store. You’ll find this old-fashioned store along KY 536, a drive that’s wonderfully scenic during the early days of winter.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
As the year winds down, we’re packing up the car and driving to Kentucky’s very own Christmas town: Bardstown. You’ll drive U.S. 150 from Springfield to Bardstown, and we recommend staying to celebrate the holidays for Christmas Round Bardstown!
U.S. 150, US-150, Bardstown, KY, USA
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