This 274.5-mile journey from Benton, KY to Richmond, KY is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. Expect a fuel cost of around $42 for this trip, which stays within the Southeast region. The route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a more engaging experience than a typical interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and no particularly long stretches without turns, this drive offers a straightforward, manageable excursion for a day trip.
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
136.8 miles from Benton, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m 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
I 75
13.3 mi
14m
New Circle Road
7.3 mi
9m
Versailles Road
4.4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
3.9 mi
5m
Athens Boonesboro Road
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, KY and Richmond, 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
7.3 mi·9 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 16Toward Alumni Drive
22
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Alumni Drive
23
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Man O War Boulevard
24
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
1.5 mi·2 min·Richmond Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on KY 418
2.4 mi·2 min·Athens Boonesboro Road
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Knoxville
27
Merge onto I 75
13 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 90BToward US 25 North, US 421 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft·8 sec·Lexington Road
30
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
31
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
32
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
33
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
34
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 17 minute duration, departing Benton, KY in the morning will allow ample time to reach Richmond, KY by the afternoon. Plan for one stop along the 274.5-mile route to break up the drive, keeping in mind the 'turn-heavy' nature of the local roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to local road signage, as the frequent turns will require your full attention throughout the 274.5 miles.
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 136.8 miles from Benton, KY, or about 2h 28m 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 60 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 273.5 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 270.6 — 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
8
270.6 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward US 25 North, US 421 North
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 90B
Toward US 25 North, US 421 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.76 one way
$85.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.95
$93.89
premium
$4.89
$52.63
$105.27
diesel
$5.61
$60.39
$120.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.72
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.93
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.29
$17.50
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Benton, KY
Evening
in Benton on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, KY
Night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
5h 6m 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 170.4
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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 265.1
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 132.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The road ahead is defined by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through areas primarily using roads like Poplar Street, East 5th Street, and Symsonia Road. This means you should anticipate frequent changes in direction and a more intimate connection with the local landscape. Without long stretches of uninterrupted driving, this route encourages a steady pace and constant awareness of your surroundings as you make your way across Kentucky.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 273.5 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.
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 Richmond, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington 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
Lexington
165.9 mi in|~3h
Bardstown
165.9 mi in|~3h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 273.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Richmond, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richmond, KY before the return drive.
