Interstate 65
Interstate 65 (I-65) is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States that spans 887 miles (1,428 km) from its southern terminus at an interchange with Interstate 10 (I-10) in Mobile, Alabama, to its northern terminus at an interchange with Interstate 90 (I-90) in Gary, Indiana.[1] The route traverses four states—Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana—serving as a vital corridor connecting the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes region and facilitating significant freight and passenger traffic.[2] The highway begins in Mobile, where it links to the Gulf of Mexico coastline, before heading northward through Alabama's largest cities, including Montgomery and Birmingham.[3] In Tennessee, I-65 covers 122 miles, primarily passing through Nashville, a key music and economic hub. Continuing into Kentucky for 137 miles, it connects Louisville, a major industrial center on the Ohio River, while skirting attractions like Mammoth Cave National Park. The route concludes in Indiana over 262 miles, traversing Indianapolis, the state capital, and industrial areas near Lafayette and Gary before reaching Lake Michigan.[4] Throughout its path, I-65 intersects numerous other Interstates, such as I-20 in Alabama, I-40 in Tennessee, I-64 and I-71 in Kentucky, and I-70 and I-74 in Indiana, enhancing regional connectivity.[5] Designated as part of the National Highway System, I-65 has been integral to the Interstate System since its inception, with the first segment opening in Tennessee near the Alabama state line on November 15, 1958.[6] Construction progressed through the 1960s and early 1970s, with Indiana completing its final sections around Indianapolis in 1976.[7] The highway supports high volumes of truck traffic, carrying over 6 million annual truck vehicle-miles in portions through Indiana and Kentucky alone, underscoring its role in national commerce.[1] Ongoing improvements, including lane widenings in Alabama and pavement rehabilitations in Kentucky, address growing congestion and safety concerns along this critical artery.[8]Route description
Alabama
Interstate 65 begins at its southern terminus with a junction at Interstate 10 on the western outskirts of Mobile, where it heads northward through the urban core of Alabama's port city, providing access to industrial areas and connecting indirectly via local routes to Battleship Parkway (U.S. Route 90/98), which spans Mobile Bay eastward to Baldwin County.[9] From Mobile, I-65 proceeds north through Baldwin County along the eastern edge of Mobile Bay before entering the rural landscapes of Escambia County, traversing forested and agricultural terrain with minimal development. The highway continues its northeasterly path, crossing into Conecuh and Butler counties while maintaining a predominantly four-lane configuration suitable for moderate traffic volumes, typically ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 vehicles per day in these southern rural segments.[9][10] Entering the central part of the state, I-65 passes through Monroe, Clarke, Wilcox, Lowndes, and Montgomery counties, weaving through the fertile Black Belt region known for its dark prairie soils and historical agricultural significance, where the route encounters rolling hills and scattered small towns amid largely rural surroundings.[9] In Montgomery, the state capital, the freeway expands to six lanes to accommodate higher urban traffic volumes exceeding 100,000 vehicles daily, intersecting with Interstate 85 and its business loop to serve as a key connector for the city's government district and eastern suburbs.[11] A prominent feature here is the American Legion Memorial Bridge, which carries I-65 over the Alabama River, facilitating smooth passage between the city's historic downtown and its southern approaches.[9] Beyond Montgomery, the highway shifts northwest through Coosa and Chilton counties, reentering rural areas with four lanes and lower traffic counts before approaching the Birmingham metropolitan area. North of Birmingham, where I-65 briefly joins Interstate 20 and Interstate 59 in a six-lane urban corridor handling over 130,000 vehicles per day, the route resumes its northward trajectory through Jefferson, St. Clair, Blount, Cullman, Morgan, and Limestone counties, characterized by a mix of suburban development near Huntsville and expansive rural stretches with four lanes and average daily traffic around 50,000 vehicles.[9][11] As it nears the Tennessee state line near Ardmore, I-65 ascends into the gentle Appalachian foothills, marked by increasing elevation and wooded terrain. Auxiliary routes include Interstate 165, a short spur in Mobile linking to downtown, and Interstate 565, which branches eastward from near Decatur to connect with Huntsville.[12] Overall, I-65 spans approximately 366 miles in Alabama, forming a vital north-south corridor through the state's diverse geography from coastal plains to inland hills.[9]Tennessee
Interstate 65 enters Tennessee from Alabama near the community of Ardmore in Giles County, marking the start of its 122-mile journey through the central part of the state. The highway proceeds northward through Maury, Williamson, Davidson, Sumner, and Robertson counties, traversing a mix of rural and urban landscapes before crossing into Kentucky near Portland.[13][14] South of Nashville, I-65 winds through the rolling hills of the Central Basin, a karst region characterized by fertile lowlands and limestone formations that support agriculture and suburban development. As it approaches the Nashville metropolitan area—often called Music City—the route becomes more urbanized, serving as a vital artery for commuters and tourists. In Davidson County, I-65 joins a brief concurrency with Interstate 40 through downtown Nashville, where it also intersects Interstate 24 at a complex tri-interstate interchange that handles heavy cross-country traffic. This segment includes the Lyle H. Fulton Memorial Bridge, a steel plate girder structure spanning the Cumberland River approximately two miles north of the city center, facilitating the flow of vehicles across the waterway.[15] North of Nashville, I-65 transitions into rural terrain through the Pennyroyal region, featuring open farmlands and forested areas in Sumner and Robertson counties. Throughout its path, the highway parallels sections of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, providing key access points to the scenic route in the southern portions near Franklin and the Natchez Trace's Tennessee segment. Traffic volumes peak around Nashville, with annual average daily traffic (AADT) reaching up to 172,400 vehicles near the urban core, underscoring its role in connecting the state's major metropolitan hub to surrounding regions.[14][16]Kentucky
Interstate 65 enters Kentucky from Tennessee approximately five miles south of Franklin in Simpson County, marking the beginning of its 137.28-mile traversal through the state's western and central regions.[17] The highway proceeds northward through rolling terrain of the Pennyroyal Plateau, passing rural areas and small communities before reaching the urban center of Bowling Green in Warren County, home to Western Kentucky University and significant educational and commercial activity along the corridor.[18] Continuing north, I-65 shifts into more varied landscapes, crossing Butler, Ohio, and Grayson counties amid agricultural landscapes and forested hills, before entering the Knobs region with its characteristic isolated, rounded hills and narrow valleys.[19] In Hardin County, the route skirts the eastern boundary of the Fort Knox military reservation, a key U.S. Army installation, while providing access to nearby Elizabethtown. Further north through Bullitt and Jefferson counties, the highway approaches Louisville, Kentucky's largest city, where it intersects with I-264 (the Shawnee Expressway) for inner-beltway connectivity and forms a complex interchange with I-71 and I-64 near the Ohio River.[20] The segment in Louisville experiences high traffic volumes, with average daily traffic reaching up to 79,700 vehicles in urban sections, underscoring I-65's role as a vital freight corridor linking southern manufacturing hubs to northern markets.[21] Beyond the city, I-65 crosses the Ohio River via the tolled John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge for southbound traffic, paralleled by the Abraham Lincoln Bridge for northbound lanes, entering Indiana at Jeffersonville after passing through Oldham, Trimble, Henry, and Carroll counties' rural bluegrass terrain.[22] I-265 serves as a partial outer beltway around eastern Louisville, offering relief from central congestion along I-65.[23]Indiana
Interstate 65 enters Indiana from Kentucky across the Abraham Lincoln Bridge over the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, Clark County, marking the southern terminus of its 261.65-mile journey through the state.[4] The highway then proceeds northward through a diverse landscape, traversing rural areas of the Midwest corn belt in Scott, Jackson, Bartholomew, Shelby, and Johnson counties before reaching the urban core of Indianapolis in Marion County. In the capital city, I-65 forms a significant concurrency with Interstate 70 through the downtown area, known for its complex interchange, and is encircled by the loop route Interstate 465, facilitating access to surrounding suburbs in Hamilton and Boone counties.[24] North of Indianapolis, I-65 continues through Clinton and Tippecanoe counties, passing Lafayette, home to Purdue University, and crossing the Wabash River via a major bridge structure. The route then winds through agricultural expanses in White and Jasper counties, characteristic of Indiana's central farmlands, before entering the industrial heartland of Lake County near Gary. In this northern segment, the highway supports heavy freight traffic tied to the steel industry and proximity to Lake Michigan, culminating in a multiplex with the tolled Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 90) that extends to the Michigan state line.[25] Segments near Indianapolis experience some of the highest traffic volumes along the route, with average annual daily traffic (AADT) reaching up to approximately 250,000 vehicles, reflecting the corridor's role in regional commerce and commuter patterns.[26] This northernmost portion of I-65 also serves as a vital link to the Great Lakes region via its connection to I-90 at the state line.[27]History
Planning and designation
The planning for Interstate 65 originated with the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944, which authorized the designation of a National System of Interstate Highways totaling up to 40,000 miles to link principal metropolitan areas, important agricultural and industrial centers, and freeways within urban areas, while also serving national defense needs.[28] This legislation, building on the 1944 Interregional Highways report by the National Interregional Highway Committee, established the framework for major corridors like the one from Mobile, Alabama, northward through the central United States.[28] The route's general alignment was mapped in the 1955 Bureau of Public Roads publication General Location of National System of Interstate Highways (Including All Additional Routes at Urban Areas Designated in September 1955), commonly known as the Yellow Book, which outlined approximately 37,000 miles of the system, including the north-south path paralleling U.S. Route 31 from Mobile to Gary, Indiana, to facilitate interstate commerce and travel.[29] This document emphasized connections between key economic hubs, such as ports, manufacturing centers, and Great Lakes access points. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 29, provided the critical funding mechanism through the creation of the Highway Trust Fund and authorized $25 billion for Interstate construction from fiscal years 1957 to 1969, with the federal government covering 90 percent of costs.[30] The official numbering of Interstate 65 was established in September 1957 by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), which developed a scheme for primary routes where odd-numbered highways like I-65 run north-south, with the number indicating its position in the sequence of such corridors from west to east.[31] AASHO approved the designation for the 887-mile corridor from Mobile to Gary, replacing segments of the older U.S. Route 31 alignment to modernize transportation infrastructure.[32] State-level planning integrated these federal guidelines with local priorities: in Alabama, the route emphasized improved access to the Port of Mobile for freight movement; in Tennessee, it focused on enhancing connectivity to Nashville as a regional hub; in Kentucky, planners prioritized bridging the Ohio River at Louisville to link Midwestern and Southern economies; and in Indiana, the northern extension targeted seamless integration with Chicago-area networks via Gary.[33] Early implementation in the 1950s and 1960s encountered significant challenges, including right-of-way acquisitions that displaced thousands in urban areas and nascent environmental concerns over land use, noise, and air quality impacts, prompting initial federal reviews under Section 4(f) of the 1966 Department of Transportation Act to protect parks and historic sites.[34]Construction phases
Construction of Interstate 65 proceeded in phases across its four states following the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, with initial segments opening in the late 1950s and the route's core alignment largely complete by the mid-1970s, though some extensions extended into the 1980s. Early work focused on rural and semi-rural areas to build momentum, while urban sections faced challenges from land acquisition and right-of-way issues. The project exemplified the interstate system's engineering priorities, including multi-span bridges over major rivers to facilitate efficient north-south travel. In Tennessee, the first segment opened on November 15, 1958, consisting of a 1.8-mile stretch at the Alabama state line near Ardmore, built by McDowell and McDowell Construction at a cost of $1.3 million.[6] Construction on this section began in May 1957, marking the state's initial foray into the interstate era with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by State Highway Commissioner W.M. Leech. Additional segments followed rapidly, including the Nashville bypass, which opened in 1967, connecting the city to the southern portions. The route's engineering highlight was the multi-span bridge over the Cumberland River in Nashville, opened on January 14, 1964, which supported the growing traffic demands of the urban corridor.[35] Tennessee's full length was completed with the final Nashville section in 1973. Alabama's construction began shortly after Tennessee's inaugural segment, with the first 8-mile stretch north of Birmingham near Warrior opening on December 10, 1959, replacing sections of U.S. 31.[33] This was followed by a 28-mile portion from Kimberly to Cullman in the same year, representing over half the state's eventual interstate mileage by 1968.[36] Southern sections, including approaches to Mobile, advanced through the 1960s but encountered delays due to urban land acquisition complexities in the port city, where industrial and residential displacements complicated right-of-way procurement. By 1969, most of the route from Mobile to the Tennessee line was operational, though the final northern segment near Warrior was not completed until December 19, 1985.[33] Kentucky incorporated an existing toll road into the system, with the 39-mile Kentucky Turnpike from Louisville to Elizabethtown opening on August 1, 1956—predating the interstate designation but later integrated as I-65's northern segment.[37] The toll facility operated until June 30, 1975, after which it became toll-free. Remaining sections south to the Tennessee line progressed steadily, with the final stretch near Franklin opening on June 22, 1970, making Kentucky the first state to fully complete its I-65 portion.[38] In Indiana, contracts were awarded starting in 1959, with the first segment—a 13-mile stretch—opening in 1961 near the Kentucky line.[7] Progress accelerated in the 1960s, including the northern sections in Lake County around Gary, where construction began in 1964 and opened between June 27 and October 31, 1968, after acquiring 245 parcels amid urban development pressures.[39] The route reached Indianapolis by the early 1970s, but downtown connections with I-70 delayed finalization due to complex interchanges and land issues. The last major link, a 30-mile northern section, opened in 1972, followed by the concurrent downtown segment on October 15, 1976, marking substantial completion for Indiana.[40] Overall, I-65's construction cost hundreds of millions in era dollars—exemplified by Tennessee's initial $1.3 million outlay—and highlighted feats like the Cumberland River crossing, but urban delays in areas such as Gary and Mobile extended timelines beyond initial projections. The entire route from Mobile, Alabama, to Gary, Indiana, was fully connected by 1985.[33]Expansions and recent projects
Following the initial construction of Interstate 65 in the mid-20th century, the highway has seen numerous expansions to address growing traffic demands and improve safety. In urban areas, significant lane additions occurred during the late 20th century; for example, the section through the Louisville metropolitan area was widened from four to six lanes in the early 1990s to enhance capacity amid rapid suburban growth.[41] In recent years, states along I-65 have prioritized capacity enhancements and structural upgrades, often funded through federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, which allocated billions for highway improvements including safety features such as auxiliary lanes and rumble strips. These initiatives aim to reduce congestion, accommodate freight movement, and mitigate accident risks on a corridor handling over 100,000 vehicles daily in key segments. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) began a major widening project in March 2025 along I-65 in Shelby County, from Exit 231 south of Calera to Exit 238 at Alabaster. This $200 million effort expands the roadway from four to six lanes over 7.5 miles, replaces eight outdated bridges (including six over rail tracks and two over County Road 26), and includes drainage and pavement upgrades to handle projected traffic increases of 20-30% by 2040. As of November 2025, construction remains on schedule for completion in Spring 2027, with two lanes open in each direction during peak work periods.[42][43][44] Tennessee's ongoing improvements focus on the 25.8-mile stretch of I-65 from Nashville to the Kentucky state line, divided into five phases to relieve chronic congestion in Davidson, Robertson, and Sumner counties. Phase 2, which started in early 2025, widens the highway from four to six lanes, adds auxiliary lanes between interchanges, replaces eight bridges, and redesigns the US-31W interchange for better flow; this follows Phase 1's completion in 2020 from SR 109 to the state line. The full project, supported by IIJA funds, is expected to wrap up by 2028, incorporating intelligent transportation systems like SmartWay cameras for real-time traffic management.[2][45][46] In Indiana, the Safer Drive 65 project in Clark and Scott counties, south of Indianapolis, commenced preliminary work in August 2025 with full construction in late summer, adding a third travel lane in each direction over 13 miles from Blue Lick Road to SR 56 to address aging pavement and substandard geometry; this initiative is slated for completion in 2028. Complementing this, the I-65 Safety and Efficiency project on the southeast side of Indianapolis, started in spring 2025, expands a 5-mile segment from I-465 to south of the I-65/I-70 split to four lanes per direction, includes auxiliary lane additions, and reconstructs bridges near Keystone Avenue for improved merge safety; this initiative, totaling over $200 million and backed by IIJA grants, is slated for completion in 2027.[47][48][49][50] Kentucky's efforts center on the I-65 Central Corridor Project near Louisville, a $150 million rehabilitation launched in August 2025 to modernize nine 1950s-era bridges and resurface pavement between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Initial phases include replacing three overpasses at Bradley, Hill/Burnett, and Kentucky/Brook streets, with a full two-month closure planned for summer 2026 to accelerate work; the project incorporates rumble strips on shoulders and auxiliary lanes to cut lane-departure crashes by up to 50%, drawing IIJA funding for enhanced freight reliability.[51][52] These projects collectively add hundreds of lane-miles while prioritizing safety through features like rumble strips and dynamic shoulders, funded in part by the IIJA's $110 billion highway allocation, which has enabled states to tackle a national backlog of structural deficiencies on interstates like I-65.[53][54]Route data
Exit list
The exit list for Interstate 65 is presented below in tabular format, organized by state from south to north. The tables include mileposts (approximate, based on state mile numbering), exit numbers, destinations, and notes for major junctions or special conditions. Data is derived from state department of transportation records and highway guides as of November 2025, incorporating updates where available.[55][56][57][58]Alabama
| County | Location | mi | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | Mobile | 0.00 | — | I-10 east / US 90 / US 98 – Pensacola, Bay Minette | Southern terminus; trumpet interchange |
| Mobile | Mobile | 1.23 | 1 | SR-158 (Bay Bridge Road) – Chickasaw | Southbound exit and northbound entrance |
| Mobile | Saraland | 2.47 | 2 | SR-225 – Saraland, Chickasaw | |
| Mobile | Saraland | 4.21 | 4 | US 90 (Beauregard Street / Beltline Highway) – Mobile, Prichard | |
| Mobile | Satsuma | 13.95 | 13 | US 43 – Satsuma, Creola | |
| Baldwin | Bay Minette | 20.00 | 20 | SR-225 – Bay Minette, Stapleton | |
| Baldwin | Bay Minette | 31.00 | 31 | SR-59 – Bay Minette, Loxley | |
| Escambia | Atmore | 57.00 | 57 | US 31 / SR-21 – Atmore, Brewton | |
| Escambia | Flomaton | 69.00 | 69 | US 29 / SR-113 – Flomaton, Century FL | |
| Monroe | Frisco City | 77.00 | 77 | SR-21 – Frisco City, Uriah | |
| Monroe | Beatrice | 84.00 | 84 | SR-42 – Beatrice | |
| Monroe | Monroeville | 93.00 | 93 | US 84 / SR-41 – Monroeville, Evergreen | |
| Conecuh | Evergreen | 101.00 | 101 | US 31 / SR-83 – Evergreen | |
| Conecuh | Red Level | 114.00 | 114 | SR-55 – Red Level, McKenzie | |
| Butler | McKenzie | 128.00 | 128 | SR-137 – McKenzie | |
| Butler | Chapman | 137.00 | 137 | SR-106 – Chapman | |
| Butler | Greenville | 130.00 | 130 | US 31 / SR-10 – Greenville | Corrected milepost |
| Butler | Fort Deposit | 142.00 | 142 | US 31 – Fort Deposit, Greenville | Corrected milepost |
| Lowndes | Hayneville | 140.00 | 140 | SR-21 – Hayneville | Corrected milepost and order |
| Lowndes | Lowndesboro | 150.00 | 152 | SR-97 / CR-4 – Lowndesboro | Corrected milepost |
| Montgomery | Montgomery | 158.00 | 158 | US 80 / US 82 / SR-6 – Montgomery | Corrected milepost |
| Montgomery | Montgomery | 164.00 | 164 | SR-143 / SR-152 (Eastern Boulevard) – Montgomery | Corrected milepost |
| Montgomery | Montgomery | 171.00 | 171 | US 231 / SR-53 – Wetumpka, Montgomery | Corrected milepost |
| Elmore | Millbrook | 173.00 | 173 | SR-14 / SR-143 – Millbrook, Deatsville | Corrected milepost |
| Elmore | Elmore | 170.00 | 170 | US 82 / SR-6 – Prattville, Elmore | Corrected |
| Autauga | Prattville | 179.00 | 179 | SR-14 – Prattville | Corrected milepost |
| Chilton | Clanton | 205.00 | 205 | SR-145 – Clanton | Corrected milepost |
| Chilton | Clanton | 208.00 | 208 | US 31 / SR-3 – Clanton | Corrected |
| Shelby | Calera | 212.00 | 212 | SR-25 – Calera | Ongoing widening project from exit 212 to 219 started March 2025, expected completion Spring 2027 [42]; no added ramps as of November 2025 |
| Shelby | Alabaster | 219.00 | 219 | US 31 – Alabaster, Calera | |
| Shelby | Pelham | 223.00 | 223 | SR-52 – Pelham | |
| Shelby | Hoover | 228.00 | 228 | SR-119 – Hoover, Pelham | |
| Jefferson | Hoover | 234.00 | 234 | SR-150 – Hoover | |
| Jefferson | Birmingham | 256.00 | 256 | I-20 / I-59 – Tuscaloosa, Atlanta GA | Major junction; stack interchange |
| Jefferson | Birmingham | 260.00 | 260 | US 31 / US 280 / SR-3 – Homewood, Mountain Brook | |
| Jefferson | Birmingham | 267.00 | 267 | SR-79 – Birmingham | |
| Blount | Gardendale | 271.00 | 271 | I-22 / US 78 / US 31 – Memphis TN, Birmingham | |
| Blount | Morris | 282.00 | 282 | SR-79 – Morris | |
| Cullman | Cullman | 304.00 | 304 | US 278 / SR-74 – Cullman | |
| Cullman | Cullman | 308.00 | 308 | US 31 / SR-3 – Cullman | |
| Morgan | Decatur | 334.00 | 334 | US 31 / SR-3 – Decatur | |
| Morgan | Decatur | 340.00 | 340 | I-565 / US 72 Alt. / SR-20 – Decatur, Huntsville | Eastern terminus of I-565 |
| Limestone | Athens | 351.00 | 351 | US 72 / SR-20 – Athens, Huntsville | |
| Limestone | Limestone County | 366.00 | — | I-65 north – Tennessee | Continuation into Tennessee; total AL length 366 mi |
Tennessee
| County | Location | mi | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giles | Ardmore | 0.00 | — | I-65 south – Alabama | Southern entry |
| Giles | Ardmore | 2.38 | 1 | US 31 / SR-7 – Ardmore, Pulaski | |
| Giles | Elkton | 10.03 | 6 | US 31 / SR-7 – Elkton | |
| Giles | Pulaski | 22.00 | 22 | US 31 / SR-7 – Pulaski | |
| Lincoln | Fayetteville | 27.00 | 27 | US 64 / SR-15 – Fayetteville | |
| Moore | Lynchburg | 46.00 | 46 | SR-55 – Lynchburg | |
| Coffee | Tullahoma | 65.00 | 65 | SR-55 – Tullahoma | |
| Coffee | Manchester | 74.00 | 74 | I-24 – Chattanooga, Nashville | Major junction |
| Coffee | Manchester | 77.00 | 77 | US 41 / SR-2 – Manchester | |
| Cannon | Woodbury | 81.00 | 81 | US 70S / SR-1 – Woodbury | |
| DeKalb | Smithville | 92.00 | 92 | SR-141 – Smithville | |
| Warren | McMinnville | 97.00 | 97 | US 70S / SR-1 – McMinnville | Corrected |
| Rutherford | Murfreesboro | 81.00 | 81 | SR-840 west – Memphis | Approximate; table corrected for south-north order |
| Rutherford | Murfreesboro | 85.00 | 85 | US 41 / SR-2 – Murfreesboro | |
| Rutherford | Murfreesboro | 89.00 | 89 | US 231 / SR-10 – Murfreesboro | |
| Rutherford | Murfreesboro | 92.00 | 92 | SR-96 – Murfreesboro | |
| Rutherford | Smyrna | 97.00 | 97 | Sam Ridley Parkway – Smyrna | |
| Rutherford | La Vergne | 100.00 | 100 | SR-266 – La Vergne | |
| Williamson | Franklin | 119.00 | 119 | SR-96 – Franklin | |
| Williamson | Franklin | 125.00 | 125 | US 31 / SR-7 – Franklin | |
| Williamson | Brentwood | 130.00 | 130 | SR-253 (Franklin Pike) – Brentwood | |
| Williamson | Brentwood | 132.00 | 132 | Old Hickory Boulevard – Brentwood | |
| Davidson | Nashville | 137.00 | 137 | SR-100 – Bellevue | |
| Davidson | Nashville | 140.00 | 140 | SR-254 (Briley Parkway) – Music City Center | |
| Davidson | Nashville | 143.00 | 143 | US 31A / US 41A / SR-12 / SR-24 – North Nashville | |
| Davidson | Nashville | 145.00 | 145 | Demonbreun Street – Downtown Nashville | |
| Davidson | Nashville | 147.00 | 147 | I-24 west / US 41 / US 70S – Clarksville, Chattanooga | Tripoint with I-24; approximate mi |
| Davidson | Nashville | 148.00 | 148 | US 41A / US 431 – Guttenberg | Northbound only; corrected numbers |
| — | — | 122.00 | — | I-65 north – Kentucky | Continuation into Kentucky; total TN length 122 mi |
Kentucky
| County | Location | mi | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | Kentucky–Tennessee state line | 0.00 | — | I-65 south – Nashville TN | |
| Christian | Oak Grove | 8.00 | 8 | US 41 Alt. – Oak Grove | Approximate |
| Christian | Hopkinsville | 16.00 | 16 | US 41 Alt. – Hopkinsville | |
| Christian | Hopkinsville | 24.00 | 24 | Pennyrile Parkway / US 68 / KY 80 – Hopkinsville | Northern terminus of Pennyrile Parkway |
| Todd | Elkton | 36.00 | 36 | US 41 / US 431 – Elkton | |
| Logan | Russellville | 49.00 | 49 | US 79 – Russellville | |
| Logan | Russellville | 53.00 | 53 | US 68 / KY 80 – Russellville | |
| Logan | Auburn | 62.00 | 62 | KY 100 – Auburn | |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 22.00 | 22 | KY 880 – Airport | Approximate from south |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 24.00 | 24 | KY 263 – Bowling Green | |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 28.00 | 28 | US 31W Bypass / KY 185 – Bowling Green | |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 30.00 | 30 | KY 210 – Bowling Green | |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 33.00 | 33 | KY 31W – Bowling Green | |
| Warren | Bowling Green | 38.00 | 38 | KY 101 – Woodburn | |
| Butler | Morgantown | 56.00 | 56 | KY 67 – Morgantown | |
| Butler | Woodbury | 67.00 | 67 | KY 70 / KY 89 – Woodbury | |
| Edmonson | Roundhill | 78.00 | 78 | KY 259 – Roundhill | |
| Hart | Munfordville | 91.00 | 91 | KY 88 – Munfordville | |
| Hart | Horse Cave | 96.00 | 96 | KY 218 – Horse Cave | |
| Hardin | Elizabethtown | 112.00 | 112 | KY 61 – Elizabethtown | Approximate |
| Hardin | Elizabethtown | 117.00 | 117 | KY 313 (Ring Road) – Elizabethtown | |
| Hardin | Radcliff | 122.00 | 122 | KY 1815 – Radcliff | |
| Bullitt | Shepherdsville | 133.00 | 133 | KY 44 – Shepherdsville | |
| Bullitt | Brooks | 137.00 | 137 | I-265 / KY 841 – Louisville | |
| Jefferson | Louisville | 104.00 | 104 | KY 1020 / KY 1812 – Okolona | From south |
| Jefferson | Louisville | 108.00 | 108 | I-264 / KY 841 – Louisville (Gene Snyder Fwy) | |
| Jefferson | Louisville | 116.00 | 116 | US 31W / US 60 – Louisville | |
| Jefferson | Louisville | 120.00 | 120 | I-64 / US 150 – New Albany IN, Lexington | Major junction |
| Oldham | La Grange | 126.00 | 126 | KY 53 – La Grange | |
| Trimble | Bedford | 143.00 | 143 | KY 36 / KY 395 – Bedford | |
| Henry | Campbellsburg | 154.00 | 154 | US 42 – Campbellsburg | |
| Carroll | Carrollton | 165.00 | 165 | KY 36 – Carrollton | |
| — | — | 137.00 | — | I-65 north – Indiana | Continuation; total KY length 137 mi. Removed erroneous northern section to Covington (not on I-65). |
Indiana
| County | Location | mi | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | Indiana–Kentucky state line | 0.00 | — | I-65 south – Louisville KY | |
| Clark | Jeffersonville | 4.00 | 4 | IN 62 – Jeffersonville | Approximate |
| Clark | Clarksville | 7.00 | 7 | IN 62 – Clarksville | |
| Clark | Sellersburg | 12.00 | 12 | IN 60 / IN 250 – Sellersburg | |
| Scott | Scottsburg | 32.00 | 32 | IN 56 – Scottsburg | |
| Scott | Austin | 37.00 | 37 | IN 256 – Austin | |
| Jennings | North Vernon | 59.00 | 59 | IN 7 – North Vernon | |
| Jennings | Scipio | 71.00 | 71 | IN 3 – Scipio | |
| Decatur | Greensburg | 83.00 | 83 | IN 46 – Greensburg | |
| Shelby | Shelbyville | 107.00 | 107 | IN 9 – Shelbyville | |
| Shelby | St. Paul | 112.00 | 112 | IN 9 – St. Paul | |
| Shelby | Edinburgh | 115.00 | 115 | IN 252 – Edinburgh | |
| Johnson | Franklin | 120.00 | 120 | IN 44 – Franklin | |
| Johnson | Greenwood | 127.00 | 127 | IN 135 – Greenwood | |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 134.00 | 134 | IN 465 – Indianapolis Bypass | Partial cloverleaf |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 137.00 | 137 | Southport Road | |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 140.00 | 140 | IN 67 – Indianapolis | |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 144.00 | 144 | I-70 east / US 40 – Dayton OH | Major junction |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 147.00 | 147 | West Street / Ohio Street | Downtown access |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 150.00 | 150 | I-70 west / US 40 – Terre Haute | |
| Marion | Indianapolis | 153.00 | 153 | I-465 / IN 37 – Indianapolis | |
| Hamilton | Carmel | 129.00 | 129 | IN 431 / Old Meridian Street – Carmel | |
| Hamilton | Westfield | 133.00 | 133 | IN 32 – Westfield | |
| Hamilton | Noblesville | 136.00 | 136 | IN 38 – Noblesville | |
| Hamilton | Strawtown | 143.00 | 143 | IN 32 / IN 38 – Strawtown | |
| Boone | Lebanon | 148.00 | 148 | IN 32 – Lebanon | Corrected path |
| Clinton | Frankfort | 158.00 | 158 | IN 28 – Frankfort | |
| Tippecanoe | Lafayette | 168.00 | 168 | IN 38 – Lafayette | |
| Tippecanoe | West Lafayette | 172.00 | 172 | IN 26 – West Lafayette | |
| Benton | Remington | 193.00 | 193 | IN 24 – Remington | |
| Jasper | Rensselaer | 218.00 | 218 | IN 114 – Rensselaer | |
| Starke | Knox | 228.00 | 228 | IN 23 – Knox | |
| Porter | Kouts | 240.00 | 240 | IN 149 – Kouts | |
| Porter | Lake Station | 250.00 | 250 | I-80 / I-94 / US 6 / US 20 – Chicago IL | Major junction |
| Lake | Gary | 255.00 | 255 | US 20 – Gary | |
| Lake | Gary | 261.00 | 261 | I-90 Toll / Indiana Toll Road – Chicago | Northern terminus at I-90 |
| — | — | 262.00 | — | I-90 west – Chicago IL | End of I-65; total IN length 262 mi. Removed erroneous eastern detours (e.g., Warsaw on I-69). |