Origin
Cynthiana, KY
Late night in Cynthiana on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cynthiana, KY to Richmond, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
54.2 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cynthiana, KY
hartono subagio
Richmond, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 54.2 miles, this drive between Cynthiana and Richmond, Kentucky, is an efficient journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to complete the trek. The route transitions through the heart of the Southeast region, offering a straightforward path for travelers moving between these two Kentucky hubs. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day trip, this connection provides a reliable and affordable transit experience.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 22.8 mi | 24m |
| Lexington Road | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| Paris Pike | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| Cynthiana Road | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| New Lair Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| By-Pass Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Paris By-Pass Road | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Church Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 22.8 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cynthiana, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on North Church Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Church Street
2
Continue on KY 982
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
New Lair Road
3
Turn right onto KY 982
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
KY 982
4
Continue on US 27; KY 982
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Paris Pike
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 27
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Cynthiana Road
6
Take the ramp onto US 27
517 ft
·
14 sec
·
US 27
7
Merge onto US 27; US 68
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Paris By-Pass Road
8
Continue on US 27; US 68
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
By-Pass Road
9
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Lexington Road
10
Continue on US 27; US 68
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Paris Pike
11
Continue on US 27; US 68
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Broadway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
13
Merge onto I 64; I 75
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 64; I 75
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 90B
Toward US 25 North, US 421 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft
·
8 sec
·
Lexington Road
16
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
18
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Main Street
19
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 2nd Street
20
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Cynthiana, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 54.2 — 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
|
US 27; KY 982 / Paris Pike
Continue onto US 27; KY 982 / Paris Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
27.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 64; I 75
Merge onto I 64; I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
51.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
4
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Turn left onto KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.47 one way
$16.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.30 | $18.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.43 | $20.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.97 | $23.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.69 | $2.60 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.74 | $2.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Richmond, KY
Late night in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Paris, KY
27 mi in
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
1 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that transitions between highway speeds and local road navigation. You will utilize a combination of I-64, Lexington Road, and Paris Pike, with highway travel accounting for 43% of your total distance. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-64, where you can settle in for 22.8 miles of highway driving. This combination of road types creates a dynamic feel, shifting from the steady pace of the interstate to the more varied flow of local surface roads. Keep your eyes on the road as you transition between these different roadway categories.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near US 27; KY 982 / Paris Pike.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 54.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 3.5 miles (US 27; KY 982 / Paris Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (I 64; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 Cynthiana, KY to Richmond, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
27.9 mi in
|
~37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 54.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). 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 22.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 3.5 miles (US 27; KY 982 / Paris Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (I 64; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Richmond, KY before heading back.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Richmond, KY
More trips to Richmond, KY
Explore more options from Cynthiana, KY or browse trips ending in Richmond, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.