Origin
Hickman, KY
Evening in Hickman on Saturday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
309.3 mi
498 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hickman, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
This 309.3-mile drive from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY will take you approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with about 90% of the journey utilizing I-69, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway. The estimated fuel cost is around $48, and you'll likely only need one planned stop. This route focuses on efficient travel through Kentucky, a state known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It's a straightforward path for getting from point A to point B within the Southeast region.
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
154.7 miles from Hickman, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 104 mi | 1h 52m |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.7 mi | 1h 15m |
| Moscow Avenue | 16 mi | 23m |
| New Circle Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Versailles Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| US 51 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Lexington Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 104 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickman, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on KY 125
57 ft
·
3 sec
·
Troy Avenue
2
Turn right onto KY 94
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Moscow Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 51
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 51
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
5
Merge onto I 69
49 mi
·
52 min
·
I 69
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 69
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
7
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi
·
41 min
·
I 69
Exit 42
Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106B
Toward Elizabethtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
16
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
19
Merge onto KY 4
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto KY 1974
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Tates Creek Road
22
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gainesway Drive
23
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
261 ft
·
9 sec
·
Coldstream Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Coldstream Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hickman to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Lexington. With a fuel cost estimate of $48, plan your refueling stops accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch without services might be on I-69. Given the drive's length, a single stop for fuel and a break should suffice, but be prepared to stretch your legs. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you feel most rested.
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 154.7 miles from Hickman, KY, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.7 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hickman, 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 Hickman, KY
This is one driving day of about 309.3 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Hickman, 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 69 for about 104 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.7 miles from Hickman, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104 miles.
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 67.8 and 307.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Hender...
8
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
222 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m 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
8
224.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
7
307.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.36 one way
$96.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.52 | $119.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.29 | $136.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.8 | 1 | $32.48 | $14.85 |
| Efficient EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.7 | 1 | $43.30 | $19.80 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Lexington, KY
Night in Lexington on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Oklahoma, KY
155 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
17 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
5h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 90% of your travel occurring on major interstates and parkways. The majority of your time will be spent on I-69, where you'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 104 miles. While largely highway, the transition between I-69, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway offers some variation in the driving experience. This isn't a winding country road adventure, but rather an efficient way to cover ground across the state.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.8 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 309.3 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 67.8 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.7 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Hickman, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Henderson, Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Bardstown.
Henderson
67.8 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 69
Princeton
84.5 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 69
Elizabethtown
123.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
222 mi in
|
~4h 6m
Bardstown
224.3 mi in
|
~4h 10m
About the Cities
Arriving in Lexington, KY
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 309.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m 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 104 miles on I 69. 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 Lexington, 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 67.8 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.7 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lexington, KY before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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