If you are looking for a straightforward trip through Kentucky, this 99.4-mile trek from Berea to Elizabethtown is a manageable journey. Clocking in at approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes, the drive is perfect for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget about $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast locations. Because the route is relatively short, it offers a great balance between efficiency and local travel. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this transit provides a consistent pace that keeps your day moving along smoothly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Berea, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Bluegrass Parkway
23.9 mi
25m
Springfield Road
15.6 mi
17m
US 150
15 mi
17m
Perryville Road
8.4 mi
9m
Richmond Road
8.2 mi
12m
KY 954
7.7 mi
13m
Lancaster Road
5.2 mi
7m
Danville Road
5.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 23.9 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Berea, KY and Elizabethtown, KY.
1
Start on US 25; KY 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Chestnut Street
2
Continue on KY 21
2.5 mi·4 min·Paint Lick Road
3
Turn left onto KY 954
7.7 mi·13 min·KY 954
4
At end of road, turn left onto KY 52
8.2 mi·12 min·Richmond Road
5
Continue on KY 52
5.1 mi·7 min·Danville Road
6
Continue on KY 52
5.2 mi·7 min·Lancaster Road
7
Turn right onto US 150; KY 52
1.2 mi·1 min·Stanford Road
8
Continue on US 150; KY 52
430 ft·14 sec·Wilderness Road
9
Turn left onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52
1.3 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on US 150; KY 52
8.4 mi·9 min·Perryville Road
11
Continue on US 150; KY 52
1.0 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
12
Continue on US 150
16 mi·17 min·Springfield Road
13
Turn left onto US 150
92 ft·1 sec·US 150
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
15 mi·17 min·US 150
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Bluegrass Parkway West
16
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
24 mi·25 min·Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
18
Merge onto I 65
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 65
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 94Toward US 62, KY 61: ElizabethtownUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
212 ft·7 sec
Toward US 62: Historic Downtown Elizabethtown, ElizabethtownUse the left / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 62; KY 61
2.2 mi·3 min·North Mulberry Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 62; KY 61
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact trip, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that best suits your schedule without needing to plan for long-haul fatigue. While the 2-hour-and-8-minute duration is short, it is wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Berea to ensure you stay within your $15 estimate. Because there are no designated stops required by the route, you can easily decide where to pull over based on your personal needs. For the smoothest experience, prioritize getting through the local road segments during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion. Take advantage of the Bluegrass Parkway stretch to maintain a steady pace, as it serves as the most efficient part of your journey toward Elizabethtown.
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 49.7 miles from Berea, KY, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 22 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elizabethtown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Berea, 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 Berea, KY
This is one driving day of about 99.4 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Berea, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Bluegrass Parkway for about 23.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 97.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.5 mi into trip|~6m in|KY 954
Turn left onto KY 954
Navigation decision point
4
11.2 mi into trip|~19m in|KY 52 / Richmond Road
At end of road, turn left onto KY 52 / Richmond Road
Navigation decision point
5
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Bluegrass Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Bluegrass Parkway West
9
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 62, KY 61: Elizabethtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 94
Toward US 62, KY 61: Elizabethtown
9
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 62: Historic Downtown Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 62: Historic Downtown Elizabethtown,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.54 one way
$31.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.06
$34.12
premium
$4.89
$19.13
$38.26
diesel
$5.61
$21.95
$43.89
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: 34.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.44
$4.77
Efficient EV
24.9
0
$8.70
$3.98
EV Truck/SUV
39.8
0
$13.92
$6.36
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Berea, KY
Late night
in Berea on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elizabethtown, KY
Late night
in Elizabethtown on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Danville, KY
50 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 8m 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.
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 92.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive that shifts between different road types as you transition across the state. With a highway share of 47%, you will spend a good portion of the trip navigating US 150 and Springfield Road before settling into the Bluegrass Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 23.9 miles on the Bluegrass Parkway, which offers the most consistent driving conditions of the trip. The remaining mileage involves slower, more varied roads that contrast with the faster highway segments. You will find that the personality of the road changes noticeably as you move away from the local arteries and merge onto the major parkway system.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.9 mi on Bluegrass Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near KY 954.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 99.4 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 3.5 miles (KY 954): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (KY 52 / Richmond Road): Navigation decision point; at 72.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Berea, KY to Elizabethtown, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Bluegrass Parkway West along the way.
Elizabethtown is a small town in the Kentucky Derby Region. Abraham Lincoln's parents Thomas and Nancy had their daughter Sarah here in 1807 and then Abraham nearby at Sinking Spring Farm in 1809.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 99.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.9 miles on Bluegrass Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Elizabethtown, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (KY 954): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (KY 52 / Richmond Road): Navigation decision point; at 72.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson 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 Elizabethtown, KY before heading back.
