Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
32.6 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrodsburg, KY
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel from Harrodsburg to Lexington, you are looking at a straightforward 32.6-mile journey that typically takes about 49 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, allowing you to easily manage the travel time without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Lexington Road, the Nicholasville Bypass, and Wilmore Road as you head north within the Southeast region of Kentucky. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical drive for commuters or casual travelers. Because the trip is short and efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around your actual destination in Lexington rather than worrying about the logistics of the road.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Road | 17 mi | 25m |
| Nicholasville Bypass | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Wilmore Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Nicholasville Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Gainesway Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
| New Circle Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Lexington Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Tates Creek Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Harrodsburg, KY and Lexington, KY.
Start on South Main Street
Turn right onto US 68; KY 152
Continue on US 68
Turn right onto KY 29
Turn left
Merge onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 4
Take the exit
Turn right onto KY 1974
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Harrodsburg, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 31.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 68; KY 152 / East Lexington Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto KY 29 / Wilmore Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto KY 1974 / Tates Creek Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.10 one way
$10.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.60 | $11.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.27 | $12.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.85 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.09 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Harrodsburg on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route maintains a zero-percent highway share. You will spend much of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the driving experience engaging and technical. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 17-mile section along Lexington Road. As you transition between these smaller roads, stay alert for changes in the road layout and local traffic patterns. It is a focused driving experience that requires your attention, offering a more hands-on feel than a standard highway trek.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 68; KY 152 / East Lexington Street.
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 32.6 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 68; KY 152 / East Lexington Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (KY 29 / Wilmore Road): Navigation decision point; at 29.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
488 ft
Total Descent
364 ft
Highest Point
1,028 ft
~23.3 mi in
Elevation Range
327 ft
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 32.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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