Spanning 102.8 miles, this trek from Albany to Nicholasville takes you through the heart of Southeastern Kentucky. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 3 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a straightforward day trip. Budgeting roughly $16 for fuel should cover your travel costs, and since no mandatory stops are required, you have the flexibility to complete the journey in a single push. The route transitions smoothly between regions, keeping you within the state for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the simplicity of this drive makes it a manageable option for any weekend itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.4 miles from Albany, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 127
54.5 mi
1h 3m
Lexington Road
10.7 mi
13m
Albany Highway
10.2 mi
11m
Jamestown Road
9.9 mi
11m
Danville Road
6 mi
6m
Sewellton Road
3.7 mi
4m
North Cross Street
2.5 mi
3m
South Main Street
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 127
— 54.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on KY 350
108 ft·4 sec·East Cumberland Street
2
Turn right onto US 127 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Washington Street
3
Continue on US 127 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·North Cross Street
4
Turn right onto US 127
2.4 mi·2 min·US 127
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto US 127
9.9 mi·11 min·Jamestown Road
6
Continue on US 127
10 mi·11 min·Albany Highway
7
Continue on US 127
3.7 mi·4 min·Sewellton Road
8
Turn left onto US 127
52 mi·1 hr·US 127
9
Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52
0.3 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
10
Turn left onto KY 34
0.3 mi·23 sec·Wilderness Road
11
Continue on KY 34
0.9 mi·1 min·East Lexington Avenue
12
Continue on KY 34
0.7 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
13
Continue on KY 34
3.6 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
14
Continue on KY 34
1.4 mi·2 min·Chenault Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto US 27
6.4 mi·7 min·Lexington Road
16
Continue on US 27
6.0 mi·6 min·Danville Road
17
Turn right onto US 27 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
Because the total duration is just over two hours, you have the advantage of scheduling flexibility for your departure time. Aim to hit the road early if you want to avoid peak traffic, though the lack of required stops means you can easily customize your own pace. Since you will be navigating a mix of US 127 and local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits as you move between highway and town segments. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind, and consider filling up before you leave Albany to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run to Nicholasville. Taking advantage of the direct route allows you to maximize your time at your final destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.4 miles from Albany, KY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.4 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholasville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, KY
This is one driving day of about 102.8 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Albany, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 127 for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 81 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 127 Business / North Washington Street
Turn right onto US 127 Business / North Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|US 127
Turn right onto US 127
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in|US 127 / Jamestown Road
Turn right onto US 127 / Jamestown Road
Navigation decision point
3
28.9 mi into trip|~34m in|US 127
Turn left onto US 127
Navigation decision point
4
81 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.07 one way
$32.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.65
$35.29
premium
$4.89
$19.78
$39.57
diesel
$5.61
$22.70
$45.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.79
$4.93
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$9.00
$4.11
EV Truck/SUV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Albany, KY
Night
in Albany on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Late night
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Liberty, KY
51 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 46.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend roughly 53% of your time on highways, balancing efficient travel with local road navigation. A significant portion of your journey involves a 54.5-mile stretch on US 127, which serves as the backbone of your trip. As you transition from Albany Highway toward Lexington Road, the feel of the road shifts, offering a blend of open stretches and more localized driving. This variety prevents the monotony often associated with pure interstate travel, providing a balanced pace as you move toward your destination.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on US 127.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 127 Business / North Washington Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Albany, KY to Nicholasville, KY is easy. At 2h 3m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 127 Business / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 127): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (US 127 / Jamestown Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,071 ft707 ft
Total Climb
928 ft
Total Descent
950 ft
Highest Point
1,071 ft
~38.6 mi in
Elevation Range
363 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 102.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on US 127. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 127 Business / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 127): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (US 127 / Jamestown Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Nicholasville, KY before heading back.
