This 247.9-mile drive from Ledbetter, KY to Nicholasville, KY takes approximately 4 hours and 39 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Western Kentucky Parkway and the Bluegrass Parkway, with a portion on I-69. This highway-focused route has an estimated fuel cost of $38. The drive offers a straightforward journey through Kentucky's Southeast region. With 87% of the route on highways, it's designed for steady progress, so you can likely complete this in a single day without needing an overnight stop.
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
124 miles from Ledbetter, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi
1h 12m
I 69
38.3 mi
41m
I 24
10.1 mi
10m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
Adair Street
4.7 mi
5m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Dover Road
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ledbetter, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on US 60
4.7 mi·5 min·Adair Street
2
Turn right onto KY 937
3.0 mi·4 min·Cutoff Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 453
3.1 mi·4 min·Iuka Road
4
Turn right onto KY 453
4.0 mi·6 min·Dover Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
6
Merge onto I 24; I 69
10 mi·10 min·I 24; I 69
7
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward 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-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse 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 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·Bluegrass Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 68Toward KY 33: Versailles
16
Turn straight onto KY 33
1.1 mi·2 min·Troy Pike
17
Turn left onto KY 169
4.5 mi·6 min·Pinckard Pike
18
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi·2 min·Keene-Versailles Road
19
Continue on KY 169
0.4 mi·40 sec·Pinchard Pike
20
Turn right onto KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi·21 sec·Keene Road
21
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi·7 min·Keene Road
22
Continue on KY 169
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Street
23
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Oak Street
24
Turn right onto US 27 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
For this 247.9-mile journey, consider an early morning departure from Ledbetter, KY, to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 4-hour-plus drive. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $38 should be factored into your budget. This drive is well-suited for a single day, so you can enjoy a relaxed pace.
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 124 miles from Ledbetter, KY, or about 2h 18m 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 18m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholasville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ledbetter, 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 Ledbetter, KY
This is one driving day of about 247.9 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Ledbetter, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.1 and 164.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 69
Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
162.6 mi into trip|~3h 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
163 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
164.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.76 one way
$77.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.55
$85.11
premium
$4.89
$47.71
$95.41
diesel
$5.61
$54.73
$109.47
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: 86.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.4
0
$26.03
$11.90
Efficient EV
62
0
$21.69
$9.92
EV Truck/SUV
99.2
1
$34.71
$15.87
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Ledbetter, KY
Late night
in Ledbetter on Sunday
Local time
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Late night
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Beaver Dam, KY
124 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
7 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 39m 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
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 247.9
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 171
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 136.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 87% of your travel occurring on major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and the Bluegrass Parkway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing for sustained driving. This profile suggests a journey geared towards efficiency rather than frequent scenic detours, offering a consistent pace for most of the 4-hour-plus drive.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
7/10
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 25.1 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 247.9 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 25.1 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.6 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.
Between Ledbetter, KY and Nicholasville, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Princeton
25.1 mi in|~31m|via I 69
Elizabethtown
63.7 mi in|~1h 14m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
162.6 mi in|~3h
Lexington
164.9 mi in|~3h 3m
Bardstown
164.9 mi in|~3h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 247.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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 Nicholasville, 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 25.1 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 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 Nicholasville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
