This 79.7-mile drive from Claryville to Lexington-Fayette, KY, is an easy day trip, taking about 1 hour and 41 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-75, with a portion on Walton Nicholson Pike and Visalia Road, making it a highway-focused journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. Since you're staying within the Southeast region of Kentucky, you won't experience significant regional shifts. This straightforward drive is ideal if you're looking for a quick and efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.8 miles from Claryville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
57.9 mi
1h 2m
Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi
6m
Visalia Road
2.9 mi
4m
Creektrace Road
2.8 mi
5m
Taylor Mill Road
2.1 mi
3m
South Licking Pike
1.6 mi
3m
West New Circle Road
1.4 mi
2m
Staffordsburg Road
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 57.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claryville, KY and Lexington-Fayette, KY.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·51 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
486 ft·37 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto South Licking Pike
1.6 mi·3 min·South Licking Pike
4
Turn left onto KY 536
2.8 mi·5 min·Creektrace Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto KY 177; KY 536
0.5 mi·49 sec·Decoursey Pike
6
Turn right onto KY 536
2.9 mi·4 min·Visalia Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto KY 536
1.2 mi·1 min·Staffordsburg Road
8
Turn left onto KY 536
398 ft·9 sec·Maverick Road
9
Turn left onto KY 16; KY 536
2.1 mi·3 min·Taylor Mill Road
10
Continue on KY 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Walton Nicholson Pike
11
Continue on KY 16
0.4 mi·37 sec·Walton Nicholson Road
12
Turn right onto US 25; KY 16
0.6 mi·54 sec·Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 25; KY 16
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
14
Turn right onto Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Beaver Road
15
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Stephenson Mill Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·School Road
17
Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16
0.4 mi·42 sec·Mary Grubbs Highway
Use the right lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 75 South: LexingtonUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto I 75
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
22
Turn left onto KY 4
1.4 mi·2 min·West New Circle Road
23
Turn right onto Floyd Drive
0.2 mi·27 sec·Floyd Drive
24
Turn left
0.1 mi·41 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 41-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Claryville, KY, in the morning will get you to Lexington-Fayette with ample time for the rest of your day. Given the longest stretch is 57.9 miles on I-75, plan for one brief stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point, though it's not strictly necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $12, so a full tank before you leave Claryville should be more than sufficient for the entire journey.
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 39.8 miles from Claryville, KY, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.9 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 18 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.8 miles or 56m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington-Fayette, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Claryville, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Claryville, KY
This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Claryville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 57.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 76.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
17.9 mi into trip|~31m in|KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway
Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
18.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Lexington
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
6
18.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Lexington
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
8
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
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 113
Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.46 one way
$24.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.68
$27.36
premium
$4.89
$15.34
$30.68
diesel
$5.61
$17.60
$35.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.9
0
$8.37
$3.83
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.97
$3.19
EV Truck/SUV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Claryville, KY
Morning
in Claryville on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Morning
in Lexington-Fayette on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 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
1h 41m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 79.7
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 drive for this trip, with 73% of the route on major roadways like I-75. The bulk of your travel will be on I-75, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 57.9 miles. While the majority is interstate, you'll also navigate sections of Walton Nicholson Pike and Visalia Road, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining faster-paced highways. This route offers a steady, predictable driving experience, making it easy to maintain a consistent speed.
73% 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: 57.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Walton Nicholson Pike. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.7 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 17.9 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 79.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.9 miles on I 75. 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 17.9 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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-Fayette, KY before heading back.
