Cadiz, KY to Richmond, KY is 253 miles and takes about 4h 46m via Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on well-maintained parkways, making it a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick and easy transit between these two points. Consider this route for a single-day drive, keeping in mind the estimated fuel cost to help with your budget.
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
126.5 miles from Cadiz, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.2 mi
1h 45m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 169
22.3 mi
23m
I 75
13.3 mi
14m
Hopkinsville Road
7.4 mi
8m
New Circle Road
7.3 mi
9m
Cadiz Road
7.1 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,892 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,457
Quietest
2 AM
~278 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 35 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 Cadiz, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on KY 139
243 ft·7 sec·Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto Brown Street
291 ft·13 sec·Brown Street
3
Turn left onto US 68 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
4
Continue on US 68 Business
375 ft·7 sec·Merchant Street
5
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Hopkinsville Road
6
Continue on US 68; KY 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Cadiz Road
7
Turn left onto KY 1682
1.9 mi·2 min·Eagle Way
8
Continue on KY 1682
2.1 mi·2 min·Hopkinsville Bypass
9
Continue on KY 1682
0.4 mi·25 sec·Eagle Way
10
Continue on KY 1682
0.8 mi·52 sec·West Bypass Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
12
Merge onto I 169
22 mi·23 min·I 169
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward Elizabethtown
14
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
17
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
21
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
22
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
24
Merge onto KY 4
7.3 mi·9 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 16Toward Alumni Drive
26
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Alumni Drive
27
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Man O War Boulevard
28
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
1.5 mi·2 min·Richmond Road
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on KY 418
2.4 mi·2 min·Athens Boonesboro Road
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Knoxville
31
Merge onto I 75
13 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 90BToward US 25 North, US 421 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft·8 sec·Lexington Road
34
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
35
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
36
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
37
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
38
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
For this 4h 46m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire 253-mile trip. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $45, you can plan your expenses easily. The longest stretch is nearly 100 miles, so be sure to fuel up before you begin or at the beginning of that segment. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops if you find something interesting along the way, though the route data suggests minimal planned stops.
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 126.5 miles from Cadiz, KY, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 19m 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 48m
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 Cadiz, 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 Cadiz, KY
This is one driving day of about 253 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Cadiz, 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 98.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.3 and 250 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
44.3 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward Elizabethtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 34A
Toward Elizabethtown
8
143.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
6
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
145.4 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
250 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
$37.36 one way
$74.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.25
$82.49
premium
$4.72
$46.97
$93.95
diesel
$4.80
$47.77
$95.54
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: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.57
$12.14
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.14
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.42
$16.19
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
Cadiz, KY
Late night
in Cadiz on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph3% 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
Richmond, KY
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
67°F
Greensburg, KY
127 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
14 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
4h 46m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 148.3
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 226.8
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 113.4
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 81% of this route on highways, you'll spend most of your time cruising. The longest continuous stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway is 98.2 miles, offering a good period of uninterrupted driving. Expect a mostly highway experience, transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. The prevalence of parkways suggests a driving experience with fewer sharp turns and more consistent speeds.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.2 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 44.3 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 253 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 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,025 ft419 ft
Total Climb
1,057 ft
Total Descent
525 ft
Highest Point
1,025 ft
~234.9 mi in
Elevation Range
606 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cadiz, KY and Richmond, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Richmond is a city in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Lexington. The county seat of Madison County, Richmond is best known as the home of Eastern Kentucky University.
Top landmarks
•White Hall — house in Richmond, Kentucky
•Madison County Courthouse — courthouse in Kentucky, United States
•Downtown Richmond Historic District — historic district in Richmond, Kentucky
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 253 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
