This 250.9-mile drive from Benton, KY to Lexington, KY takes approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. It's a straightforward trip primarily utilizing the Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, with a small portion on I-69. The highway share is high at 93%, making it a very efficient journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $39, this route is well-suited as a single-day trip. The drive is entirely within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel across Kentucky. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.5 miles from Benton, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
62.6 mi
1h 8m
New Circle Road
5.6 mi
7m
Versailles Road
4.4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
1.7 mi
2m
I 65
1.4 mi
1m
Gainesway Drive
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,181 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,565
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 16 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on KY 58; KY 408
125 ft·8 sec·East 12th Street
2
Turn left onto US 641; KY 58; KY 408
0.5 mi·43 sec·Poplar Street
3
Continue on US 641; KY 58
0.6 mi·55 sec·East 5th Street
4
Continue on KY 348
0.2 mi·20 sec·Symsonia Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
6
Merge onto I 69
7.7 mi·8 min·I 69
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
17 mi·17 min·I 69
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
8
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
18
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
20
Merge onto KY 4
5.6 mi·7 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 18Toward KY 1974: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto KY 1974
0.2 mi·28 sec·Tates Creek Road
23
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Gainesway Drive
24
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
261 ft·9 sec·Coldstream Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Coldstream Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 38-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Benton, KY, will allow you ample time to reach Lexington, KY, before evening. While the drive is efficient, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 100 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or at your planned stop. This route is a straightforward drive, so focus on maintaining a steady pace and enjoying the progression across the state.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.5 miles from Benton, KY, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 55 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.5 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benton, 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 Benton, KY
This is one driving day of about 250.9 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Benton, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Western Kentucky Parkway for about 99.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 249.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Hender...
8
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
163.6 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
165.9 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
7
249.4 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.05 one way
$74.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.90
$81.81
premium
$4.72
$46.58
$93.17
diesel
$4.80
$47.37
$94.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.3
0
$26.34
$12.04
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.04
EV Truck/SUV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Benton, KY
Late night
in Benton on Sunday
Local time
3:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 6 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Lexington, KY
Late night
in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 to 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
87°F
Morgantown, KY
125 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 173.1
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 250.9
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 138.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 250.9-mile journey, with 93% of the route being on major parkways and interstates. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing for steady progress. The primary roads, including the Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, are designed for efficient travel, minimizing distractions and maximizing speed. This route prioritizes getting you to Lexington directly, rather than focusing on winding scenic byways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 250.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.4 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.3 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
968 ft366 ft
Total Climb
1,015 ft
Total Descent
473 ft
Highest Point
968 ft
~250.9 mi in
Elevation Range
602 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benton, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Bardstown.
Princeton
26.1 mi in|~29m|via I 69
Elizabethtown
64.7 mi in|~1h 11m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
163.6 mi in|~2h 57m
Bardstown
165.9 mi in|~3h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky, located in the Bluegrass Region. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington has traditionally been dominated by the horse industry and is also heavily influenced by the University of Kentucky, the state's flagship university and the largest employer in the city. The horse industry has greatly influenced Lexington's culture and scenic beauty; the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University contribute to a college town atmosphere with a richer and more diverse culture than some might expect from its size and location. Lexington's compact central downtown district is surrounded by historic neighborhoods. Lexington is in the heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is still home to hundreds of horse farms.
Top landmarks
•African Cemetery No. 2 — cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky
•Lexington Cemetery — botanical garden and cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky
•Hancock School — historic former school building in Lexington, Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 250.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lexington, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.4 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.3 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lexington, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
