How far is Bardstown, Kentucky from Detroit?

393 miles, about six and a half hours. I-75 south through Ohio to Cincinnati, then I-71 toward Louisville and off at Exit 112 for KY-245 east.

Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Detroit?

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

Do I lose an hour driving from Detroit?

No. Detroit and Bardstown are both on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way, unlike the drives from Chicago or St. Louis.

Where is the best place to break the drive?

Cincinnati, about two-thirds of the way down, leaving roughly ninety minutes for the morning. It is a good overnight in its own right rather than just a convenient one.

Is flying worth it from Detroit?

Usually. Louisville is a short hop from Detroit Metro and Bardstown is 45 minutes further by car, which beats six and a half hours of driving. You will still need a car at the other end.

Can you ship to a Michigan 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.

Planning Your Trip

Getting to Kentucky Bourbon Country From Detroit

One interstate for most of 393 miles, no clock change, and a stretch of Ohio you will not have to think about — Detroit to the Bourbon Capital of the World.

The still house at Bourbon & Oak in Kentucky, a road trip south of Detroit

Bourbon & Oak has no Detroit location and none in Michigan. There is one distillery, in Bardstown, Kentucky, 393 miles south of you — about six and a half hours.

It is the simplest long drive on this page: I-75 does nearly all of it, and unlike the runs from Chicago or St. Louis there is no time change to plan around.

The Drive

I-75 south out of Detroit, down the length of Ohio past Toledo, Dayton and Cincinnati, across the river into Kentucky. Pick up I-71 south toward Louisville, then Exit 112 for KY-245 east into Bardstown. 393 miles, about six and a half hours in clear conditions.

Two places will decide how the day feels: Toledo early on, and Cincinnati near the end. Both back up at rush hour, and the Cincinnati stretch is the one worth timing your departure around.

1876 Oak Barrel Lane, Bardstown, KY 40004
393 miles · about 6 hours 30 minutes
Free on-site parking, including coach and RV spaces
Detroit and Bardstown are both on Eastern time — no clock change

Where to Break It

Six and a half hours is enough that arriving fresh matters more than arriving early. Cincinnati sits about two-thirds of the way and is the obvious overnight if you want to split the drive.

It is also a genuinely good stop rather than a functional one — and we have a whole page for people coming the last leg from there, since Cincinnati is only about an hour and a half out.

Friday: drive to Cincinnati, night there
Saturday: the last ninety minutes down, afternoon tour with us
Sunday: one or two more trail stops, then home

What Is On Site

This is a working distillery rather than a visitor centre with a still parked outside for photographs.

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

Flying Instead

Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) is a short hop from Detroit Metro, and Bardstown is about 45 minutes further by car. Door to door it usually beats the drive comfortably.

You will need a car at the other end either way — there is no public transport that reaches us, and no practical way to work the Bourbon Trail without one.

Designated Drivers

Six and a half hours home after a tasting is not a drive anyone should be planning, and Kentucky's limit arrives well before most people expect it to.

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

Book a tour Shop the collection

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How far is Bardstown, Kentucky from Detroit?: 393 miles, about six and a half hours. I-75 south through Ohio to Cincinnati, then I-71 toward Louisville and off at Exit 112 for KY-245 east.
Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Detroit?: No. There is one site, the distillery at 1876 Oak Barrel Lane in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nothing in Michigan — this page exists to help you get here.
Do I lose an hour driving from Detroit?: No. Detroit and Bardstown are both on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way, unlike the drives from Chicago or St. Louis.
Where is the best place to break the drive?: Cincinnati, about two-thirds of the way down, leaving roughly ninety minutes for the morning. It is a good overnight in its own right rather than just a convenient one.
Is flying worth it from Detroit?: Usually. Louisville is a short hop from Detroit Metro and Bardstown is 45 minutes further by car, which beats six and a half hours of driving. You will still need a car at the other end.
Can you ship to a Michigan 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.

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