Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
71 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Union, KY
Atlantic Ambience
Lexington-Fayette, KY to Union, KY is 71 miles and takes about 1 hour 22 minutes via I-75 and I-64, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. The drive is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward and efficient trip. Given its short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal for a same-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 60.3 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 64 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Mount Zion Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| East New Circle Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Floyd Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Old Union Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Union School Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Union, KY.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive
Turn left onto KY 4
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
Turn left
Merge onto I 64; I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on KY 536
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
Continue on KY 536
Enter roundabout onto Old Union Road
Continue on Old Union Road
Turn right onto Union School Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 35.5 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 67.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 27; US 68 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 75 North, I 64 West: Cincinnati, Louisville
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$11.10 one way
$22.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.19 | $24.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.66 | $27.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.68 | $31.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.21 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.94 | $4.54 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lexington-Fayette on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Union on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72°F
Williamstown, KY
36 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
This drive is mostly highway, with 91% of the 71 miles on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 60.3 miles on I-75 before transitioning to Mount Zion Road. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of the trip, with a brief shift to surface roads towards the end. The high highway percentage suggests frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 64. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Floyd Drive.
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 71 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (Floyd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 27; US 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
160 ft
Total Descent
324 ft
Highest Point
1,004 ft
Elevation Range
164 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 71 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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