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Northern Kentucky is located in Highland Heights, KY.  NKU is approximately seven miles from Cincinnati, OH and twelve miles from the Northern Kentucky Greater Cincinnati Airport (CVG).


Traveling from Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio:

  • From US 50, take I-471 South into Kentucky
  • Follow I-471 to US 27 towards Alexandria (do not take the Ft. Thomas/US 27 exit)
  • I-471 ends at US 27 - continue straight on US 27 South
  • Continue straight through the first light and turn right at the next traffic light onto Nunn Drive. 
  • Take the first right at the roundabout onto University Drive 
  • Turn left at the stoplight onto Kenton Drive
  • Follow Kenton Drive until you can turn right into the Kenton Drive Garage

Traveling East on I-275 from Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Airport:

  • Take Exit 76 (Three Mile Road/Northern Kentucky University)
  • Turn right off of the exit on University Drive
  • Turn right at the the first stop light onto Kenton Drive.
  • Continue straight through campus.
  • Turn right into the Kenton Drive Parking Garage (Located directly across from the Student Union). 

Traveling West on I-275:

  • Take Exit 74A (US Highway 27 - Alexandria)
  • Continue straight on US 27 South
  • Continue straight through the first light and turn right at the next traffic light onto Nunn Drive.
  • Enter the roundabout and veer right onto University Drive (First right turn off of the roundabout).
  • Turn left at the the first stop light onto Kenton Drive.
  • Continue straight through campus.
  • Turn right into the Kenton Drive Parking Garage (Located directly across from the Student Union). 

Traveling from Louisville, Kentucky:

  • Take I-71 North
  • Merge I-71/75 North
  • Take Exit 185 onto I-275 East
  • Follow directions for traveling East on I-275

Traveling from Lexington, Kentucky:

  • Take I-75 North.
  • Continue on I-71/75 North
  • Take Exit 185 onto I-275 East
  • Follow directions for traveling East on I-275

Traveling from Columbus, Ohio:

  • Take I-71 South to downtown Cincinnati, and exit onto I-471 South towards Kentucky
  • Take I-471 South over the gold bridge into Kentucky
  • Follow directions for traveling from Downtown Cincinnati on I-471

Traveling from Dayton, Ohio:

  • Take I-75 South to Cincinnati
  • In Cincinnati, follow US 50 East to I-471
  • Follow directions for traveling from Downtown Cincinnati on I-471

Traveling from Portsmouth, Ohio:

  • Take OH-73 West to State Route 32
  • Follow State Route 32 West
  • Near Cincinnati, exit onto I-275 S toward US-52/Kentucky
  • Follow directions for traveling West on I-275

Traveling from Indianapolis, Indiana:

  • Take I-74 East to I-75 South
  • Take exit 1B and follow US 50 East to I-471
  • Follow directions for traveling from Downtown Cincinnati on I-471

Approximate Distance (Miles) to NKU:

Kentucky Miles Ohio Miles Indiana Miles
Ashland, KY 151 Cincinnati, OH 7 Fort Wayne, IN 199
Lexington, KY 81

Cleveland, OH

255 Indianapolis, IN 114
Louisville, KY 98 Columbus, OH 115

Lawrenceburg, IN

25
Madisonville, KY 252 Dayton, OH 60 Madison, IN 73
Maysville, KY 64 Portsmouth, OH 99 Muncie, IN 119
Owensboro, KY 207 Toledo, OH 212 South Bend, IN 252