How far is Bardstown from Indianapolis?

154 miles, about two and a half hours. Take I-65 south through Louisville to Exit 112, then KY-245 east through Clermont into Bardstown.

Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Indianapolis?

No. There is one site, the distillery at 1876 Oak Barrel Lane in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nothing in Indiana — this page exists to help you get here, not to imply a branch.

Do I lose an hour driving from Indianapolis to Bardstown?

No. Both are on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way. The Central time zone begins further west in Kentucky, not on I-65 between Louisville and Bardstown.

Can I do Indianapolis to Bardstown as a day trip?

You can, but five hours of driving around a tasting makes for a rushed day. Staying a night in Bardstown or Louisville is a much better trip and lets you add other trail stops.

When is the best time to leave to avoid traffic?

Before seven or after nine in the morning. I-65 through downtown Louisville is the pinch point on this route and it backs up in both directions at rush hour.

Can you ship to an Indiana 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 ship.

Planning Your Trip

A Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Two and a Half Hours From Indianapolis

One interstate, one state line and one time zone separate Indianapolis from Bardstown — and Indiana's own distilling history makes the drive better company than most.

Warm backlit bourbon shelving at the Bourbon & Oak distillery, a drive south of Indianapolis

Bourbon & Oak has no Indianapolis location and no Indiana location. There is one distillery, in Bardstown, Kentucky, 154 miles south of you — about two and a half hours down I-65.

It is one of the simplest drives on this page: a single interstate almost the whole way, with one thing to watch that catches people out.

The Drive

I-65 south out of Indianapolis, past Columbus and Seymour, across the Ohio River at Louisville, and stay on it to Exit 112 for KY-245 east through Clermont into Bardstown. 154 miles, about two and a half hours without traffic.

Louisville is the pinch point. I-65 through downtown backs up badly at rush hour in both directions, so leaving Indianapolis before seven or after nine in the morning is worth the effort.

1876 Oak Barrel Lane, Bardstown, KY 40004
154 miles · roughly 2 hours 30 minutes
Free on-site parking, including coach and RV spaces
Nearest airport to us is Louisville (SDF), about 45 minutes out

The Time Zone

Indianapolis and Bardstown are both on Eastern time, so unlike the drive up from Nashville there is no hour to lose. That surprises people who assume crossing into Kentucky means changing clocks — it does in the west of the state, but not on this route.

It matters because tour slots are booked in Eastern time. If you are coming from somewhere in Indiana that observes Central, check your own clock rather than assuming.

Two Days Is Better Than One

Five hours of driving in a day, with a tasting in the middle, is a poor plan. Most people who try the round trip in one go end up rushing the part they came for.

Stay a night in Bardstown or Louisville instead. Bardstown puts you inside walking distance of the town square and within fifteen minutes of several other trail stops; Louisville gives you restaurants and hotels and leaves a 45 minute run down in the morning.

Day one: drive down, afternoon tour with us, dinner and a night in Bardstown
Day two: two or three more trail stops within fifteen minutes, then home
Or base in Louisville and drive out each morning

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

Designated Drivers

Two and a half hours home is a long way to drive having tasted, and Kentucky's limit arrives well before most people expect. Nominate a driver before you leave Indianapolis, or book the night.

Every flight can be poured as take-away samples instead. We would much rather you carry it home than hurry through the room.

Book a tour Shop the collection

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

How far is Bardstown from Indianapolis?: 154 miles, about two and a half hours. Take I-65 south through Louisville to Exit 112, then KY-245 east through Clermont into Bardstown.
Is there a Bourbon & Oak in Indianapolis?: No. There is one site, the distillery at 1876 Oak Barrel Lane in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nothing in Indiana — this page exists to help you get here, not to imply a branch.
Do I lose an hour driving from Indianapolis to Bardstown?: No. Both are on Eastern time and this route stays in it the whole way. The Central time zone begins further west in Kentucky, not on I-65 between Louisville and Bardstown.
Can I do Indianapolis to Bardstown as a day trip?: You can, but five hours of driving around a tasting makes for a rushed day. Staying a night in Bardstown or Louisville is a much better trip and lets you add other trail stops.
When is the best time to leave to avoid traffic?: Before seven or after nine in the morning. I-65 through downtown Louisville is the pinch point on this route and it backs up in both directions at rush hour.
Can you ship to an Indiana 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 ship.

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