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Trip from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Beaver Dam, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

152.8 mi

246 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 43m ★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, United States

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Kentucky, USA

Beaver Dam, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 152.8-mile drive from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Beaver Dam, KY is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 54 minutes on the road, not including any stops. The route primarily utilizes the Bluegrass Parkway and Western Kentucky Parkway, making up 89% of your travel on main roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this is an economical option for exploring more of Kentucky. Given its manageable distance and duration, it’s an easy drive to complete without needing an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

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

76.4 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Bluegrass Parkway 70.6 mi 1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway 61.4 mi 1h 5m
East New Circle Road 7.2 mi 10m
Versailles Road 4.5 mi 6m
US Highway 231 2.6 mi 3m
Lexington Road 1.3 mi 1m
I 65 1.2 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Bluegrass Parkway — 70.6 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Beaver Dam, KY.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 42 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Floyd Drive
3

Turn left onto KY 4

7.2 mi · 10 min · East New Circle Road
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles Use the slight right lane.
5

Merge onto US 60

4.5 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on US 60

1.3 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
8

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
10

Merge onto I 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 65
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
14

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 75 Toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam
16

Turn right onto US 231

2.6 mi · 3 min · US Highway 231
17

Continue on US 231

0.6 mi · 52 sec · South Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

US 231

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 54-minute travel time, you can comfortably depart Lexington-Fayette anytime in the morning and arrive in Beaver Dam well before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan accordingly for fuel and any necessary breaks. Since 89% of the drive is on main highways and the longest stretch is over 70 miles, you can maintain a steady pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer segments of the Bluegrass and Western Kentucky Parkways, as services can sometimes be spread out on these types of roads.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.4 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 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 34 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.4 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaver Dam, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lexington-Fayette, 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY

This is one driving day of about 152.8 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lexington-Fayette, 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 70.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Bloomfield, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomfield, KY

76 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

Oregon, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elizabethtown, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Bluegrass Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

Slim Chickens

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

1.8 mi

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.4 mi

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.2 mi

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

Slim Chickens

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+12705060980

Visit website

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18592695701

Visit website

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12709867900

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12707655525

Visit website

Green Bamboo Chinese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12707693457

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12705063819

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 65.5

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

Funky Rooster Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18594071100

Visit website

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 87.3

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Jacobson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Lexington, Kentucky

+18592882900

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 149.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
7.5 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
87 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway

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 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
6
87.5 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
6
149.2 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in

Take the exit toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 75 Toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.89 one way

$47.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.23 $52.46
premium $4.89 $29.40 $58.81
diesel $5.61 $33.74 $67.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.8 0 $16.04 $7.33
Efficient EV 38.2 0 $13.37 $6.11
EV Truck/SUV 61.1 0 $21.39 $9.78

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Morning in Lexington-Fayette on Sunday

Local time

6:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

S 7 to 13 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Beaver Dam, KY

Late night in Beaver Dam on Sunday

Local time

5:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Bloomfield, KY

76 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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

14 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

2h 54m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a predominantly highway experience, with nearly all of your 152.8 miles on major roadways. You'll find yourself on stretches like the Bluegrass Parkway for up to 70.6 miles at a time, suggesting a consistent pace. The profile indicates a highway-focused drive, so anticipate smooth, high-speed travel for the majority of the trip. While the specific scenery isn't detailed, the highway focus means you'll likely be moving efficiently through the landscape rather than navigating winding local roads.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.6 mi on Bluegrass Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bluegrass Parkway and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 152.8 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY and Beaver Dam, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.

Elizabethtown

13.7 mi in | ~20m

Paducah

87 mi in | ~1h 40m

Western Kentucky Parkway West

87.3 mi in | ~1h 41m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 152.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.6 miles on Bluegrass Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Beaver Dam, 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Beaver Dam, KY before heading back.

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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