How far is Bardstown, Kentucky from Chicago?

337 miles, about five and a half hours by road. I-65 runs almost the whole way, from Gary, Indiana south through Indianapolis and Louisville to Exit 112.

Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Chicago?

No. We have one site, the distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. There is nothing in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois — this page is about reaching us, not a local branch.

Is it better to fly or drive from Chicago?

Flying into Louisville is roughly ninety minutes plus a 45 minute drive, usually about half the door-to-door time of driving. You will still need a car at the other end, which closes much of the cost difference.

Can I do this as a day trip from Chicago?

Not sensibly. Eleven hours of driving around a tasting is not a day out. Two nights makes it a genuinely good trip and lets you fit three distilleries in without rushing.

Can I fly home with bottles?

In checked baggage only, and nothing above 70 percent alcohol — 140 proof — may fly at all. Some barrel proof releases have gone over that line, so check the proof first. Shipping is often simpler.

Do I lose time driving from Chicago?

Yes. Chicago is on Central time and Bardstown is on Eastern, so you lose an hour heading south-east. Tour slots are booked in Eastern time, which catches people out on arrival day.

Planning Your Trip

Getting to Kentucky Bourbon Country From Chicago

Five and a half hours down a single interstate, or a ninety-minute flight and a short drive — two honest ways to reach Bardstown from Chicago.

A collection of Kentucky bourbon at the Bourbon & Oak distillery, a weekend trip from Chicago

Bourbon & Oak has no Chicago location and no Illinois location. There is one distillery, in Bardstown, Kentucky, 337 miles south of the city. This page is about getting here, not about a branch that does not exist.

This is the longest journey on this page, and the one where flying genuinely competes with driving. Both are reasonable; they suit different trips.

Driving: One Interstate, Most of the Way

I-65 begins at Gary, Indiana and runs south through Indianapolis and Louisville. From Chicago you pick it up via I-90/I-94 east around the bottom of the lake, then stay on I-65 for roughly 300 miles, coming off at Exit 112 for KY-245 east into Bardstown.

337 miles, about five and a half hours in clear conditions. Realistically it is a seven hour day with stops, and Chicago's own traffic getting out of the city is the least predictable part of the whole run.

1876 Oak Barrel Lane, Bardstown, KY 40004
337 miles · about 5 hours 30 minutes driving
Free on-site parking, including coach and RV spaces
Chicago is on Central time and Bardstown on Eastern — you lose an hour on the way down

Flying: The Faster Option

Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) is roughly a ninety minute flight from either Chicago airport, and Bardstown is about 45 minutes further by car. Door to door that is usually half the driving time even allowing for the airport.

You will need a car at the other end — there is no public transport that reaches us, and no practical way to work the Bourbon Trail without one. Factor that into the comparison, because a rental for two days closes much of the cost gap with driving.

Make It a Weekend

At this distance a day trip is not a serious proposition. Three distilleries across two days is the version people describe accurately afterwards; four in a day is the version they endure.

Bardstown puts you inside walking distance of the town square and within fifteen minutes of several other trail stops. Louisville has more hotels and restaurants and a 45 minute run out each morning. Either works — Bardstown suits distillery-first trips, Louisville suits people who want the evenings.

Friday: drive or fly down, evening in Bardstown or Louisville
Saturday: afternoon tour with us, one or two other stops nearby
Sunday: a third stop, then home

What Is On Site

This is a working distillery rather than a visitor centre. Depending on the day and season you may walk past an active fermenter, a running column still, or a crew dumping barrels.

The mash floor and still house, in operation on production days
Rickhouse No. 7, our newest warehouse, holding 20,000 barrels
The tasting room, where flights are poured at cask strength and proofed side by side
The bottling line and single-barrel selection room

Carrying Bottles Home

If you are flying, bottles must go in checked baggage — anything above 100ml is out of the cabin, and spirits above 70 percent alcohol (140 proof) cannot fly at all. Some barrel proof releases have gone over that line, so check the proof on the bottle before you plan to carry it home.

Shipping is usually the simpler answer. Rules vary by state and change often, so the shipping page carries the current position, and an adult signature is required at delivery wherever we can send.

Book a tour Shop the collection

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How far is Bardstown, Kentucky from Chicago?: 337 miles, about five and a half hours by road. I-65 runs almost the whole way, from Gary, Indiana south through Indianapolis and Louisville to Exit 112.
Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Chicago?: No. We have one site, the distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. There is nothing in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois — this page is about reaching us, not a local branch.
Is it better to fly or drive from Chicago?: Flying into Louisville is roughly ninety minutes plus a 45 minute drive, usually about half the door-to-door time of driving. You will still need a car at the other end, which closes much of the cost difference.
Can I do this as a day trip from Chicago?: Not sensibly. Eleven hours of driving around a tasting is not a day out. Two nights makes it a genuinely good trip and lets you fit three distilleries in without rushing.
Can I fly home with bottles?: In checked baggage only, and nothing above 70 percent alcohol — 140 proof — may fly at all. Some barrel proof releases have gone over that line, so check the proof first. Shipping is often simpler.
Do I lose time driving from Chicago?: Yes. Chicago is on Central time and Bardstown is on Eastern, so you lose an hour heading south-east. Tour slots are booked in Eastern time, which catches people out on arrival day.

Also worth reading