Spanning 247.5 miles across the state of Kentucky, this journey from Eddyville to Richmond typically takes about 3 hours and 53 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul, you should plan on dedicating a full day to complete the trip comfortably. Budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Southeast region. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you should prioritize a steady pace. This route serves as a practical connection between these two Kentucky points, offering a consistent driving experience that requires your full attention behind the wheel.
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
123.2 miles from Eddyville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
33.6 mi
36m
I 75
13.3 mi
14m
New Circle Road
7.3 mi
9m
Versailles Road
4.4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
3.9 mi
5m
US 62
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eddyville, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on this road
76 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
82 ft·11 sec
3
Turn left onto School Drive
283 ft·26 sec·School Drive
4
Continue on School Drive
0.2 mi·1 min·School Drive
5
Turn right onto Jenkins Road
0.2 mi·56 sec·Jenkins Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 62; US 641
2.8 mi·4 min·US 62; US 641
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Merge onto I 69
34 mi·36 min·I 69
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
18
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
20
Merge onto KY 4
7.3 mi·9 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 16Toward Alumni Drive
22
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Alumni Drive
23
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Man O War Boulevard
24
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
1.5 mi·2 min·Richmond Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on KY 418
2.4 mi·2 min·Athens Boonesboro Road
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Knoxville
27
Merge onto I 75
13 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 90BToward US 25 North, US 421 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft·8 sec·Lexington Road
30
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
31
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
32
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
33
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
34
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy, localized route, I recommend leaving early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating the winding sections. You have one scheduled stop planned, which is a perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel before pushing toward your destination in Richmond. Given the lack of highway miles, keep a close watch on your navigation to avoid missing turns on the local roads like School Drive or Jenkins Road. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush the 3-hour and 53-minute duration. Use your stop strategically to break up the technical driving and keep your energy levels high for the final leg of the trip.
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 123.2 miles from Eddyville, KY, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 42m
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 Eddyville, 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 Eddyville, KY
This is one driving day of about 246.4 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Eddyville, 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 99.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.2 and 243.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
37.2 mi into trip|~43m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
243.4 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$38.52 one way
$77.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.30
$84.59
premium
$4.89
$47.42
$94.83
diesel
$5.61
$54.40
$108.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.56
$9.86
EV Truck/SUV
98.6
1
$34.50
$15.77
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Eddyville, KY
Night
in Eddyville on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, KY
Night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 38m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 144.4
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 220.9
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 110.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical driving experience as you navigate away from the typical interstate pace. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be relying on high-speed freeways for this 247.5-mile journey. Instead, your route relies on local infrastructure, specifically School Drive, Jenkins Road, and the Western Kentucky Parkway. Because of the turn-heavy profile, the road requires constant focus and maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches of cruising. You will find that the character of the drive remains consistent throughout, demanding active engagement as you transition between these local roads and the parkway.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 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 37.2 miles in near Western Kentucky Parkway.
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 24 significant decision points across 246.4 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 37.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
872 ft412 ft
Total Climb
890 ft
Total Descent
526 ft
Highest Point
872 ft
~205.3 mi in
Elevation Range
460 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Eddyville, KY and Richmond, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Elizabethtown
37.5 mi in|~44m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
136.4 mi in|~2h 30m
Lexington
138.7 mi in|~2h 33m
Bardstown
138.7 mi in|~2h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 246.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.8 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
