OT: Question on I-65 construction detour

mcwildcats04

Heisman
Jul 19, 2003
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Hi, I'm heading down to Lexington from Chicago to see family around there in a few weeks and just had a question on the I-65 construction. I always take I-65 South through southern Indiana and cross over to I-64 East in Louisville to head to Lex. With the construction now, is it better to take I-65 South to I-264 to connect to I-64 or better to avoid the whole downtown area completely and just cut over onto I-265 from I-65 South (avoid I-264 completely) and then connect to I-64 East?

I'm assuming it's better to just avoid the downtown area completely and take 265 instead of 264. I should add that I don't mind adding an extra 10 to 20 minutes if it means a lot less stress and hassle.

Thanks for any help!
 

mcwildcats04

Heisman
Jul 19, 2003
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I'd take I65 south then just as you come over the bridge take the I64 east to Lexington ramp.
I didn't think you could do that now. I read that you have to take either 265 or 264 from I65 to connect to I64.

Edit: Did a bit more digging and it does sound like you can still go this direct route but may be a question of a lot more congestion. So, probably 264 is out of the picture now and it's either just go my normal route and connect direct to 64 or just bypass all the potential congestion and just cut over earlier onto 265.
 
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rick64

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Jan 25, 2007
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I'd take I65 south then just as you come over the bridge take the I64 Lexington ramp.
I didn't think you could do that now. I read that you have to take either 265 or 264 from I65 to connect to I64.

Edit: Did a bit more digging and it does sound like you can still go this direct route but may be a question of a lot more congestion. So, probably 264 is out of the picture now and it's either just go my normal route and connect direct to 64 or just bypass all the potential congestion and just cut over earlier onto 265.
True you could get off onto I265 east just passed Sellersburg and take that around to I64 east.
 

mcwildcats04

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Jul 19, 2003
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What are you, one of the poors, OP? Take your own private plane, charter a flight, or if you must, slum it and fly commercial (first class of course).
Ha, my family is still a few hours east of Lexington (Ashland area) so if I flew into Lex, would still have to rent a car and drive a few more hours anyways so don't mind just driving straight there and like having my own car. I used to do the full drive direct there but 8-9 hours straight is pure torture for me now with young kids in the car now too. Makes it a lot easier to stop off in Lexington for a night then just a short drive there the rest of the way the next morning.
 

TeamAmerica

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Jul 3, 2025
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Hi, I'm heading down to Lexington from Chicago to see family around there in a few weeks and just had a question on the I-65 construction. I always take I-65 South through southern Indiana and cross over to I-64 East in Louisville to head to Lex. With the construction now, is it better to take I-65 South to I-264 to connect to I-64 or better to avoid the whole downtown area completely and just cut over onto I-265 from I-65 South (avoid I-264 completely) and then connect to I-64 East?

I'm assuming it's better to just avoid the downtown area completely and take 265 instead of 264. I should add that I don't mind adding an extra 10 to 20 minutes if it means a lot less stress and hassle.

Thanks for any help!
still the way to go. pick up 265 at I65 south in Indiana and take it to 64 east . Maybe a 15 minute drive
 
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entropy13

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Apr 27, 2010
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Ha, my family is still a few hours east of Lexington (Ashland area) so if I flew into Lex, would still have to rent a car and drive a few more hours anyways so don't mind just driving straight there and like having my own car. I used to do the full drive direct there but 8-9 hours straight is pure torture for me now with young kids in the car now too. Makes it a lot easier to stop off in Lexington for a night then just a short drive there the rest of the way the next morning.
https://www.airnav.com/airport/KDWU

FYSA; YWIA.
 

mhs1964

Senior
Feb 8, 2018
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Hi, I'm heading down to Lexington from Chicago to see family around there in a few weeks and just had a question on the I-65 construction. I always take I-65 South through southern Indiana and cross over to I-64 East in Louisville to head to Lex. With the construction now, is it better to take I-65 South to I-264 to connect to I-64 or better to avoid the whole downtown area completely and just cut over onto I-265 from I-65 South (avoid I-264 completely) and then connect to I-64 East?

I'm assuming it's better to just avoid the downtown area completely and take 265 instead of 264. I should add that I don't mind adding an extra 10 to 20 minutes if it means a lot less stress and hassle.

Thanks for any help!
You might consider taking I74 out of Indy and take I275 when you get to Cincy.
 
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rick64

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The work is supposed to be done by August 1.
Hope Please GIF by Mac-Nutrition
 

fisherscatfan

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Jan 17, 2010
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If I travel to Ashland from Indianapolis (live on the South side of Indy and have family in Boyd County), I typically take I-74 to I-275 to either I-75 to I-64 in Lexington or I-275 to the AA Highway and pick up I-64 in Grayson.

If you go I-65 all the way, I-265 to I-64 isn’t bad.
 
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mcwildcats04

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Jul 19, 2003
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You might consider taking I74 out of Indy and take I275 when you get to Cincy.
I've done the more direct route through downtown Indy and downtown Cincy and it's a little quicker. But, I've always found it to be more drama just dealing with driving through the big cities and all of the merging. Never had an incident but it's a lot less stressful for me just avoiding going through downtown Indy and just going around and straight south on I-65 before I hit I-64 after Louisville. There was also a big stretch in Ohio where there were no rest stops at all. A lot more rest stops heading east on I-64 after Louisville.
 

mhs1964

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Feb 8, 2018
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I've done the more direct route through downtown Indy and downtown Cincy and it's a little quicker. But, I've always found it to be more drama just dealing with driving through the big cities and all of the merging. Never had an incident but it's a lot less stressful for me just avoiding going through downtown Indy and just going around and straight south on I-65 before I hit I-64 after Louisville. There was also a big stretch in Ohio where there were no rest stops at all. A lot more rest stops heading east on I-64 after Louisville.
I drove to Chicago from Louisville about a month ago. I went through downtown Indy on the trip up and while I had no significant delay. However, on the way back I took their beltline on the west side. It’s only a couple of miles further but I made quicker time with lack of construction, multiple wide lanes with shoulders. I would have gone that way up but backup to get on the beltline was very long and despite construction was quicker through downtown. Ii ii were heading to Lexington and was going through Louisville to Lexington I would currently take I265 East to I64 to avoid most of the Louisville traffic mess. My second choice and maybe first at certain times would take I64 East directly from I65. I’ve never driven from Chicago to Lexington but would check the mileage difference going to Cincy and taking I275 over to 75. It might not be that much different