This 116.3-mile drive from Catlettsburg, KY to Lexington, KY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. The route predominantly follows I-64, making it a highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. Both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing major geographic boundaries. This straightforward drive is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and don't require multiple overnight stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Catlettsburg, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
102.7 mi
1h 50m
Man O War Boulevard
5.3 mi
8m
Winchester Road
3.1 mi
4m
Haley Road
1.6 mi
2m
Pimlico Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
Louisa Road
1.1 mi
1m
Louisa Street
0.7 mi
<1m
Gainesway Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catlettsburg, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on US 60
122 ft·9 sec·35th Street
2
Turn left onto US 23
0.7 mi·46 sec·Louisa Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 23
1.1 mi·1 min·Louisa Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
5
Merge onto I 64
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·I 64
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward KY 859: Bluegrass Station
7
Turn left onto KY 859
1.6 mi·2 min·Haley Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 60
3.1 mi·4 min·Winchester Road
9
Turn left onto KY 1425
5.3 mi·8 min·Man O War Boulevard
10
Turn right onto Pimlico Parkway
1.2 mi·2 min·Pimlico Parkway
11
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·Gainesway Drive
12
Turn right onto Coldstream Drive
261 ft·9 sec·Coldstream Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Coldstream Drive
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, with no need to split the journey. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time in Lexington. The majority of the route is on I-64, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, though the $18 estimated cost suggests it's not a major concern for this distance. Since there are no designated stops provided, plan your own breaks on I-64 as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with Man O War Boulevard and Winchester Road before entering Lexington, as they can become busy.
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 58.1 miles from Catlettsburg, KY, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 42m
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 Catlettsburg, 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 Catlettsburg, KY
This is one driving day of about 116.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Catlettsburg, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 102.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 109.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 23 / Louisa Street
Turn left onto US 23 / Louisa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
104.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward KY 859: Bluegrass Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward KY 859: Bluegrass Station
4
105 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|KY 859 / Haley Road
Turn left onto KY 859 / Haley Road
Navigation decision point
5
106.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 60 / Winchester Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 60 / Winchester Road
Navigation decision point
4
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|KY 1425 / Man O War Boulevard
Turn left onto KY 1425 / Man O War Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.18 one way
$36.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.96
$39.93
premium
$4.89
$22.38
$44.76
diesel
$5.61
$25.68
$51.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.18
$4.65
EV Truck/SUV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 17, 2026
Origin
Catlettsburg, KY
Morning
in Catlettsburg on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lexington, KY
Morning
in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 to 8 mph5% chanceLive 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 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 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 118.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 89% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-64. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 102.7 miles on I-64, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal turns. While primarily highway, the route incorporates local roads like Man O War Boulevard and Winchester Road as you approach Lexington, offering a slight change in pace. This blend means you'll spend most of your time in the fast lane but will transition to more urban driving conditions near the end.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Man O War Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 23 / Louisa Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Catlettsburg, KY to Lexington, KY is easy. At 2h 13m with 89% 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 23 / Louisa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 105 miles (KY 859 / Haley Road): Navigation decision point.
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.
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 64. 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 23 / Louisa Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 105 miles (KY 859 / Haley Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — 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 Lexington, KY before heading back.
