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Trip from Lexington, KY to Buechel, KY

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

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

74.5 mi

120 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 26m ★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

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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Downtown Buechel, KY, KY

Buechel, KY

Stepan Vrany

Trip Overview

This 74.5-mile drive from Lexington, KY, to Buechel, KY, will take you about 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-64, Frankfort Road, and New Circle Road, this route is a straightforward trip within the Southeast region of Kentucky. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, this journey is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it ideal for a quick excursion. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of highway and local road travel, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant delays.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.3 miles from Lexington, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 42.3 mi 45m
Frankfort Road 6 mi 6m
New Circle Road 5.8 mi 7m
Versailles Road 5.5 mi 7m
Lexington Road 3.6 mi 4m
Six Mile Lane 2.8 mi 6m
South Hurstbourne Parkway 2.4 mi 4m
Frankfort Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 42.3 mi, about 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Buechel, KY.

1

Start on Coldstream Drive

261 ft · 11 sec · Coldstream Drive
2

Turn right onto Gainesway Drive

1.0 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive
3

Turn right onto KY 1974

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Tates Creek Road
4

Turn left

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward KY 4 West: New Circle Road
5

Merge onto KY 4

5.8 mi · 7 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles Use the right lane.
7

Continue on US 60

4.7 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on US 60

3.6 mi · 4 min · Lexington Road
9

Turn slight right onto US 60

1.6 mi · 1 min · Versailles Bypass
10

Continue on US 60; US 62

6.0 mi · 6 min · Frankfort Road
11

Continue on US 60

1.8 mi · 2 min · Frankfort Highway
12

Continue on US 60

0.8 mi · 1 min · Versailles Road
13

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
14

Merge onto I 64

42 mi · 45 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 15 Toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersontown, Middletown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

174 ft · 5 sec
Use the left lane.
17

Turn straight onto KY 1747

2.4 mi · 4 min · South Hurstbourne Parkway
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto Six Mile Lane

0.7 mi · 1 min · Six Mile Lane
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on Six Mile Lane

1.6 mi · 3 min · Six Mile Lane
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on Six Mile Lane

0.5 mi · 1 min · Six Mile Lane
21

Arrive at destination

Six Mile Lane

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over an hour and a half, this trip is best undertaken as a single-day adventure, offering plenty of flexibility. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid the heaviest traffic, especially on New Circle Road. With a fuel cost around $12, you won't need extensive refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Lexington to ensure a smooth journey. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the major roads, as these can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.3 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 16 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.3 miles or 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 15m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lexington, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lexington, KY

This is one driving day of about 74.5 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lexington, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 42.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Frankfort, KY

37 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

Versailles, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frankfort, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.3 miles from Lexington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Mashallah African Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 74.5

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15029198305

Visit website

Pier 17 Cajun Seafood Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Louisville, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Louisville, Kentucky

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Amsden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Versailles, Kentucky

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18594232969

Visit website

McLeod's Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

1.4 mi

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

2.2 mi

Mashallah African Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 74.5

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15029198305

Visit website

Pier 17 Cajun Seafood Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 69.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15024099857

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 69.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15024932426

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 74.5

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+15024590070

Visit website

Mussel & Burger Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 69.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15023844834

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 69.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+15024917707

Visit website

Syrian Grill Abu Abdu

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15027490071

Visit website

City Barbeque

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 69.2

Hurstbourne, Kentucky

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+15029968003

Visit website

The Amsden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16

Versailles, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18594232969

Visit website

McLeod's Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.3

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18595548071

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.5

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15024096762

Visit website

Common Grounds Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

Sixth & Main Coffeehouse Inc

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.9

Shelbyville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15026477751

Visit website

Caffiends Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.3

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18596081008

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.3

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.3

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

Woodford Reserve Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 21.3

Versailles, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18598791812

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 63.9

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15026324455

Visit website

Jacobson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Lexington, Kentucky

+18592882900

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 74.5

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 69.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | KY 4 / New Circle Road

Merge onto KY 4 / New Circle Road

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.6 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles

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

Use the right lane. Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles
5
26.7 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 64

Merge onto I 64

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
69 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in

Take the exit toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersontown, Middletown

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 15 Toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersont...
7
69.3 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.65 one way

$23.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.79 $25.58
premium $4.89 $14.34 $28.67
diesel $5.61 $16.45 $32.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.3 0 $7.82 $3.58
Efficient EV 18.6 0 $6.52 $2.98
EV Truck/SUV 29.8 0 $10.43 $4.77

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Lexington, KY

Late night in Lexington on Sunday

Local time

2:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buechel, KY

Late night in Buechel on Sunday

Local time

2:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

9 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

1h 32m 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

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...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free near mile 2.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with approximately 60% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.3 miles on I-64, offering a chance to settle in for a solid period of driving. As you transition between main roads like I-64, Frankfort Road, and New Circle Road, the driving experience will vary, moving from faster highway speeds to potentially more varied conditions on the local sections. This blend means you'll get a taste of both efficient travel and more typical road conditions.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near KY 4 / New Circle Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.7 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lexington, KY and Buechel, KY, road signs point toward Jeffersontown and Middletown.

Jeffersontown

69 mi in | ~1h 21m

Middletown

69 mi in | ~1h 21m

About the Cities

Starting in Lexington, KY

Full guide →

Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky, located in the Bluegrass Region. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington has traditionally been dominated by the horse industry and is also heavily influenced by the University of Kentucky, the state's flagship university and the largest employer in the city. The horse industry has greatly influenced Lexington's culture and scenic beauty; the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University contribute to a college town atmosphere with a richer and more diverse culture than some might expect from its size and location. Lexington's compact central downtown district is surrounded by historic neighborhoods. Lexington is in the heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is still home to hundreds of horse farms.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 74.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on I 64. 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 Buechel, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buechel, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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