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Trip from Covington, KY to Burkesville, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

202.2 mi

325 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Covington, KY, KY

Covington, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States of America

Burkesville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 202.2-mile journey from Covington, KY, to Burkesville, KY, is best experienced as a single-day adventure, requiring about 4 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate I-71, Hustonville Road, and US-127, with highways making up 49% of the route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $32, and it's designed as a mixed drive. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive offers a blend of speeds and road types, making for an engaging trip through the Southeast region of Kentucky.

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

101.1 miles from Covington, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 74.9 mi 1h 21m
Hustonville Road 51.1 mi 58m
US 127 22.4 mi 25m
Lexington Road 15.1 mi 19m
Albany Road 8.2 mi 9m
Nicholasville Bypass 6 mi 7m
Nicholasville Road 4.7 mi 8m
North Main Street 3.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 74.9 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Covington, KY and Burkesville, KY.

1

Start on East 7th Street

12 ft · 4 sec · East 7th Street
2

Turn right onto KY 17

0.4 mi · 1 min · Scott Boulevard
3

Turn right onto KY 1120

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on KY 1120

203 ft · 13 sec · West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South
6

Merge onto I 71; I 75

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 115 Toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn right onto KY 922

3.3 mi · 4 min · Newtown Pike
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on KY 922

0.8 mi · 1 min · Oliver Lewis Way
10

Continue on Bolivar Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Bolivar Street
11

At end of road, turn right onto South Upper Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · South Upper Street
12

Turn straight onto South Limestone

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Limestone
13

Continue on US 27

4.7 mi · 8 min · Nicholasville Road
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on US 27

4.5 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
15

Turn left onto US 27 Business

3.8 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto US 27

6.0 mi · 7 min · Nicholasville Bypass
17

Continue on US 27

6.4 mi · 7 min · Lexington Road
18

Turn right onto KY 34

1.4 mi · 2 min · Chenault Bridge Road
19

Continue on KY 34

3.6 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
20

Continue on KY 34

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road
21

Continue on KY 34

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Lexington Avenue
22

Turn left onto KY 34

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Wilderness Road
23

Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52

0.4 mi · 47 sec · West Main Street
24

Turn left onto US 127

1.0 mi · 1 min · South 4th Street
25

Continue on US 127

51 mi · 58 min · Hustonville Road
26

Turn right onto US 127

22 mi · 25 min · US 127
27

Turn right onto KY 1590

1.9 mi · 3 min · KY 1590
28

Turn right onto KY 90

2.2 mi · 2 min · Burkesville Road
29

Continue on KY 90

8.2 mi · 9 min · Albany Road
30

Continue on KY 61; KY 90

0.6 mi · 51 sec · South Main Street
31

Continue on KY 61; KY 90

134 ft · 1 sec · North Main Street
32

Arrive at destination

KY 61; KY 90

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 3-minute drive covering 202.2 miles, consider an early morning departure from Covington to maximize your daylight and flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before transitioning to US-127. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 74.9-mile stretch on I-71, as services can be spaced out. The $32 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your pace based on how the drive feels.

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 101.1 miles from Covington, KY, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.9 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 44 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.1 miles or 2h 2m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burkesville, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Covington, 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 Covington, KY

This is one driving day of about 202.2 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Covington, 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 I 71 for about 74.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Junction City, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Junction City, KY

101 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Independence, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nicholasville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from Covington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Riverside Korean Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18592911484

Visit website

Coppin's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

0.1 mi

Bouquet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Covington, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Dry Stack Coffee Roastery + Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Danville, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.5

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18592092200

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

1.1 mi

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

1.2 mi

Riverside Korean Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18592911484

Visit website

Coppin's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+18599056800

Visit website

Bouquet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18594917777

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18592616112

Chef Jose Salazar • Mita's Restaurant | Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant & Tapas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15134216482

Visit website

Pepper Pod Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18594317455

Visit website

Sotto

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15138225154

Visit website

The Kidd Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15132221915

Visit website

Dry Stack Coffee Roastery + Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.5

Danville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18592092200

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15133812141

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Caffiends Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.6

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18596081008

Visit website

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15137212233

Visit website

Ludlow Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Ludlow, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+18593412928

Visit website

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

American Sign Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15135416366

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 91 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 71 South, I 75 South

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 71 South, I 75 South
8
76.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward KY 922: Airport, 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 115 Toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington
6
76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | KY 922 / Newtown Pike

Turn right onto KY 922 / Newtown Pike

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | South Upper Street

At end of road, turn right onto South Upper Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
91 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | US 27 Business / North Main Street

Turn left onto US 27 Business / North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.61 one way

$63.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.71 $69.42
premium $4.89 $38.91 $77.82
diesel $5.61 $44.64 $89.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.7 0 $21.23 $9.71
Efficient EV 50.6 0 $17.69 $8.09
EV Truck/SUV 80.9 1 $28.31 $12.94

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 14, 2026

Origin

Covington, KY

Night in Covington on Saturday

Local time

10:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burkesville, KY

Night in Burkesville on Saturday

Local time

9:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

80°F

Junction City, KY

101 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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

38 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 3m 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.

Camp Nelson National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 97.6
View on nps.gov
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

National Monument

The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 153.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with just under half of your journey, 49%, on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 74.9 miles on I-71, offering a chance for steady progress. As you transition from I-71 to roads like Hustonville Road and US-127, the character of the drive will likely change, potentially offering more local scenery and varying speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and the more intimate feel of secondary roads as you head towards Burkesville.

49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.9 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.6 miles (KY 922 / Newtown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.

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 Covington, KY to Burkesville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.

Lexington

76.3 mi in | ~1h 26m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 202.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (49%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.9 miles on I 71. 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.

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: at 1.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.6 miles (KY 922 / Newtown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Burkesville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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