Origin
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Morning in Lexington-Fayette on Sunday
Local time
8:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Knottsville, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
168.4 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Knottsville, KY
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Lexington-Fayette, KY to Knottsville, KY is 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 26m via I 64 and US 60, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's largely focused on efficient highway travel, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. With a single day recommended, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.
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
84.2 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 60 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 60 | 46 mi | 52m |
| Gene Snyder Freeway | 25.2 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 144 | 18.4 mi | 32m |
| Dixie Highway | 14.9 mi | 19m |
| East New Circle Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Floyd Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 60 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Knottsville, 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
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East New Circle Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broadway
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 64 West: Cincinnati, Louisville
6
Merge onto I 64; I 75
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 64; I 75
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 64
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Interstate 265, KY 841 South: Gene Snyder Freeway
9
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Gene Snyder Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 1
Toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
204 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 31W; US 60
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Dixie Highway
13
Turn right onto US 60
46 mi
·
52 min
·
US 60
14
Turn left onto KY 144
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 144
15
Continue on KY 144
18 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 144
16
Arrive at destination
KY 144
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 26m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Lexington-Fayette allows ample time to reach Knottsville well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $26 estimated cost suggests you'll need to refuel at least once, especially before embarking on the 60-mile stretch on I 64. A good tip for this route is to use the Gene Snyder Freeway to bypass city traffic around Louisville, saving you time and potential delays.
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 84.2 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knottsville, 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 168.4 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 I 64 for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 89.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Floyd Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 27; US 68 / North Broadway
Turn right onto US 27; US 68 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
7.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
8
88.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
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 1
Toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
9
89.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.33 one way
$52.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.91 | $57.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
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: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Knottsville, KY
Morning in Knottsville on Sunday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 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
3h 26m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 104.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 64 and the Gene Snyder Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 60 miles on I 64, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While primarily on high-speed roads, the inclusion of US 60 suggests some transitions might occur, though the overall feel remains efficient. This route prioritizes direct travel over winding scenic byways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Floyd Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 168.4 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 0.1 miles (Floyd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 27; US 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY and Knottsville, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Fort Knox and Patton Museum.
Louisville
88.8 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Fort Knox
89.1 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Patton Museum
89.1 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m 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 60 miles on I 64. 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 Knottsville, 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 0.1 miles (Floyd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 27; US 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Knottsville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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