How far is Bardstown from Columbus, Ohio?

247 miles, about four hours by road. I-71 south through Cincinnati to Louisville, then Exit 112 and KY-245 east into Bardstown.

Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Columbus?

No. There is one site, the distillery at 1876 Oak Barrel Lane in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nothing in Ohio — this page exists to help you get here.

Do I lose an hour driving from Columbus?

No. Columbus and Bardstown are both on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way, so a tour slot booked in Eastern time is the time on your own clock.

Can I do Columbus to Bardstown as a day trip?

You can, but eight hours of driving around a tasting makes for a rushed day. A single night turns it into a much better trip and lets you add other trail stops.

When should I leave to avoid traffic?

Before seven or after nine in the morning. Cincinnati is the pinch point on this route — the stretch through downtown and over the Brent Spence Bridge backs up at rush hour.

Can you ship to an Ohio address instead?

Rules for shipping spirits across state lines vary by state and change often. The shipping page carries the current position, and an adult signature is required at delivery wherever we can send.

Planning Your Trip

A Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Four Hours From Columbus

One interstate most of the way, two states, and no time change — Columbus is close enough that a weekend covers the trail properly.

Kentucky bourbon at the Bourbon & Oak distillery, four hours from Columbus, Ohio

Bourbon & Oak has no Columbus location and none anywhere in Ohio. There is one distillery, in Bardstown, Kentucky, 247 miles south of you — about four hours on a clear run.

Of the Ohio cities this is the straightforward one: I-71 does almost all of the work, and there is no time change to catch you out on arrival.

The Drive

I-71 south out of Columbus, through Cincinnati, across the river into Kentucky and on toward Louisville. Come off at Exit 112 for KY-245 east through Clermont into Bardstown. 247 miles, about four hours without traffic.

Cincinnati is the pinch point. The stretch through downtown and over the Brent Spence Bridge backs up hard at rush hour, so leaving Columbus before seven or after nine in the morning is worth the effort.

1876 Oak Barrel Lane, Bardstown, KY 40004
247 miles · roughly 4 hours
Free on-site parking, including coach and RV spaces
Columbus and Bardstown are both on Eastern time — no clock change

Make It a Weekend

Eight hours of driving around a tasting is a poor day out. Two nights turns the same trip into a proper one and lets you fit three distilleries in without rushing any of them.

Bardstown puts you within walking distance of the town square and fifteen minutes from several other trail stops. Louisville has more hotels and restaurants and leaves a 45 minute run out each morning — better if you want the evenings.

Friday: drive down after work, night in Bardstown or Louisville
Saturday: afternoon tour with us, one or two other stops nearby
Sunday: a third stop, then the four hours home

What Is On Site

This is a working distillery rather than a visitor centre. Depending on the day 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

Designated Drivers

Four hours home after a tasting is not a drive to talk yourself into, and Kentucky's limit arrives well before most people expect it to.

Nominate a driver before you leave Columbus, or book the night. Every flight can be poured as take-away samples instead — we would rather you carried it home than hurried through the room.

Book a tour Shop the collection

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How far is Bardstown from Columbus, Ohio?: 247 miles, about four hours by road. I-71 south through Cincinnati to Louisville, then Exit 112 and KY-245 east into Bardstown.
Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Columbus?: No. There is one site, the distillery at 1876 Oak Barrel Lane in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nothing in Ohio — this page exists to help you get here.
Do I lose an hour driving from Columbus?: No. Columbus and Bardstown are both on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way, so a tour slot booked in Eastern time is the time on your own clock.
Can I do Columbus to Bardstown as a day trip?: You can, but eight hours of driving around a tasting makes for a rushed day. A single night turns it into a much better trip and lets you add other trail stops.
When should I leave to avoid traffic?: Before seven or after nine in the morning. Cincinnati is the pinch point on this route — the stretch through downtown and over the Brent Spence Bridge backs up at rush hour.
Can you ship to an Ohio address instead?: Rules for shipping spirits across state lines vary by state and change often. The shipping page carries the current position, and an adult signature is required at delivery wherever we can send.

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