Spanning 163.1 miles across Kentucky, this drive from Lewisport to Nicholasville is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 12 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Bluegrass Parkway, US 60, and the Joe Prather Highway. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $25 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast region of the state, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.6 miles from Lewisport, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi
1h 12m
US 60
55.4 mi
1h 5m
Joe Prather Highway
10.4 mi
12m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
North Dixie Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Flaherty Road
2.4 mi
2m
Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 67.6 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewisport, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on Pell Street
56 ft·7 sec·Pell Street
2
Turn left onto KY 657
1.0 mi·1 min·4th Street
3
Turn left onto US 60
55 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 60
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto KY 144
2.4 mi·2 min·Flaherty Road
5
Continue on KY 313
10 mi·12 min·Joe Prather Highway
6
Turn right onto US 31W
0.4 mi·24 sec·South Dixie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Dixie Boulevard
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
1.4 mi·1 min·South Dixie Boulevard
9
Continue on US 31W
476 ft·6 sec·North Dixie Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
4.8 mi·6 min·North Dixie Highway
11
Continue on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·West Dixie Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 62; KY 61
2.1 mi·3 min·North Mulberry Street
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
14
Merge onto I 65
0.6 mi·38 sec·I 65
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·Bluegrass Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 68Toward KY 33: Versailles
18
Turn straight onto KY 33
1.1 mi·2 min·Troy Pike
19
Turn left onto KY 169
4.5 mi·6 min·Pinckard Pike
20
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi·2 min·Keene-Versailles Road
21
Continue on KY 169
0.4 mi·40 sec·Pinchard Pike
22
Turn right onto KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi·21 sec·Keene Road
23
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi·7 min·Keene Road
24
Continue on KY 169
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Street
25
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Oak Street
26
Turn right onto US 27 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
Planning for this 163.1-mile trek is simple, as you only need to account for one significant stop to break up the 3-hour and 12-minute duration. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind when filling up, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a sustained highway drive. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your single stop during the 67.6-mile stretch on the Bluegrass Parkway to ensure you stay refreshed for the final leg into Nicholasville.
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 81.6 miles from Lewisport, KY, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.6 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
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 Lewisport, 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 Lewisport, KY
This is one driving day of about 163.1 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lewisport, 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 Bluegrass Parkway for about 67.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 163 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~1m in|US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard
Turn right onto US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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 / right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
5
148.3 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward KY 33: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 68
Toward KY 33: Versailles
5
163 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|US 27 Business / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 27 Business / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.50 one way
$51.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.00
$55.99
premium
$4.89
$31.39
$62.77
diesel
$5.61
$36.01
$72.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Subway - Tesla Supercharger
Elizabethtown, KY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Burger King - Tesla Supercharger
Elizabethtown, KY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Pinnacle Ford
Nicholasville, KY
FORD_CHARGE
6 DCFC
Bob Swope Ford
Elizabethtown, KY
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Swope Hyundai
Elizabethtown, KY
Blink Network
2 DCFC
Don Franklin Bardstown Chevrolet Buick
Bardstown, KY
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Blink Network: 2
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.9
0
$17.13
$7.83
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.27
$6.52
EV Truck/SUV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lewisport, KY
Late night
in Lewisport on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Morning
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
18 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
3h 12m 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.
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 163.1
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 84.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Bluegrass Parkway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.6 miles. While the route offers a mix of road types, the prevalence of highways ensures a relatively fast-paced experience compared to smaller local roads. Expect the character of the drive to shift as you transition between the Joe Prather Highway and the more expansive parkway sections. It is a functional, efficient way to cross the state without the need for constant navigation changes.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.6 mi on Bluegrass Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bluegrass Parkway and US 60. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 60.
Driving Effort6/10
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 163.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 1 miles (US 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 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 Lewisport, KY and Nicholasville, KY, road signs point toward Lexington and Bardstown.
Nicholasville is a city of 31,000 (2019) in Jessamine County in the Bluegrass Region. The city serves as both a residential area for Lexington-area commuters and as an employment and shopping center for central Kentucky.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 163.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.6 miles on Bluegrass 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 1 miles (US 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 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 and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Nicholasville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
