Community Forums

topdownman · 09-22-2014, 10:53 AM

Just a word to the wise, you'll want to avoid I-65 through the Louisville area as far south as Elizabethtown Kentucky until further notice. They have the Kennedy bridge in Louisville down to two lanes in each direction due to bridge traffic. Then, further south around I-265 near the Bullitt County line you'll find traffic at a standstill almost anytime of the day. They have one lane shut down and have split the interstate into two southbound lanes. The left lane will put you into a chute and you cannot exit for miles (until you get to the Clermont) exit. I have seen that lane shut down due to breakdowns and there is no way to get a tow truck in there to pull you out. Last week it was shut down for many hours and the traffic was backed up for miles. This is going to be happening for months, then work will begin on the northbound side.

There is no easy workaround. If you need to travel southbound I-65 through Louisville, best to find a way to bypass through Elizabethtown which is going to put you on surface roads.

It's a mess. I drive this everyday.

maryfaye · 09-25-2014, 11:34 AM

We are leaving Chicago tomorrow headed to Cullman Al. Planned to use i65 all the way. We are not in a rush , can anyone reccomend a route around this proublem.

Mary Faye & Ralph

topdownman · 09-25-2014, 11:51 AM

If you hit Louisville between say 930 a.m. and 2 p.m., you'll probably be ok. When you get past I-265 south of the Outer Loop in Louisville, stay in the right lane (avoid the left lane). If there's a breakdown in that lane you'll sit for hours.

If arriving during the rush hour, don't. The only way to bypass back to I-65 south would be (from Indiana, I-265 west to I-64 East to I-264 East to 31W South and take that all the way to Elizabethtown, KY and rejoin I-65.

I'd time my trip to make my way through Louisville during the middle of the day even if it meant staying on the Indiana side overnight.

George Schweikle · 09-26-2014, 08:13 AM

If you really want to go out of your way around the construction mentioned, I-74 from Indianapolis to the Cincinnati western bypass, then I-75 to Lexington. US -60 west from Lexington to the Bluegrass Parkway that connects to I-65 just south of E'Town. 160 miles vs. 283 miles. All 4 lane or divided highway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryfaye

We are leaving Chicago tomorrow headed to Cullman Al. Planned to use i65 all the way. We are not in a rush , can anyone reccomend a route around this proublem.

Mary Faye & Ralph

Tom3205 · 09-28-2014, 01:49 PM

Hey. Maryfaye.. If you are leaving the Chicago area, just take I57 South to I24, to Nashville, then pick up I65 south. First night, after an easy half day driving would be Rend Lake area. Then "land bewteen the Lakes" second day. After a "quick-thru" of Nashville, its a quick run to Culman.

Squanto · 09-28-2014, 07:16 PM

We just came from Elkhart to Nashville via I465 around Indianapolis to I70 west to Effingham IN. There we picked up I57 south to I24 east. In Nashville you can pick up I65 south. There was quite a bit of construction along all those routes, but very passable. There was construction in Nashville right in the city which caused us to detour to Route 155, Briley Parkway past Opryland. It's kind of tricky getting out around Nashville from there but it can be done. Briley to I40 west back towards Nashville(stay in the right lane), to I24 south towards Chattanooga for a short ways, then 440 Parkway west to I65 south. That route would keep you off city type streets. Sorry...this got more confusing than I had hoped to make it.