Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Lexington, KY to Morganfield, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
232.4 mi
374 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morganfield, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 232.4-mile journey from Lexington to Morganfield, Kentucky, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 24 minutes. With 82% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal one-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $36, so it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Kentucky. You'll primarily be navigating the Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky Parkway, and I-165, offering a smooth ride for most of the way. This route offers a practical way to cover a significant distance within the state without requiring an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116.2 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 59.1 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 165 | 28.2 mi | 30m |
| Audubon Parkway | 24 mi | 26m |
| South Green Street | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Wendell Ford Expressway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| New Circle Road | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Henderson Bypass | 4.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 70.6 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Morganfield, 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
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lexington Road
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
10
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
16
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 North: Owensboro
18
Merge onto I 165
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 165
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 70B
Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
20
Merge onto US 60; US 231
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 10
Toward Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
22
Continue on Audubon Parkway
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Audubon Parkway
23
Continue on Audubon Parkway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Audubon Parkway
Exit 1B
Toward US 41 South: Madisonville
24
Merge onto I 69; US 41
0.8 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 69; US 41
25
Take the exit onto US 41
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 41
Exit 10B
Toward US 41 South: Morganfield
26
Continue on KY 425
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Henderson Bypass
27
Turn left onto US 60
18 mi
·
21 min
·
South Green Street
28
Turn left onto KY 56
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
KY 56
Trip Plan
For this 232.4-mile drive, departing in the morning is recommended to take full advantage of the 4-hour 24-minute duration and arrive with daylight to spare. The route is designed for efficiency, so you'll likely only need one planned stop, perhaps around the halfway mark, to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 70.6 miles on the Bluegrass Parkway, to ensure a smooth continuation of your trip. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this route offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust your pace as needed.
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 116.2 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 2h 12m 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.2 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morganfield, 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.
+
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, KY
This is one driving day of about 232.4 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Lexington, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.2 miles from Lexington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Beaver Dam Rest Stop
1.2 mi from route
WK Truck Stop
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 176 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
87.2 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
87.4 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
87.7 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
7
176 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70B
Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.33 one way
$72.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.89 | $79.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.72 | $89.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.31 | $102.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.16 |
| Efficient EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.34 | $9.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93 | 1 | $32.54 | $14.87 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Lexington, KY
Late night in Lexington on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Morganfield, KY
Late night in Morganfield on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
3 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
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 80.1
View on nps.gov
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 112.2
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 highway-centric experience for most of this 232.4-mile trip. With 82% of the drive on major roadways like the Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky Parkway, and I-165, you'll find a consistent pace for much of the 4-hour-plus journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.6 miles on the Bluegrass Parkway, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While the profile is predominantly highway, this often means efficient travel rather than dramatic scenic changes, providing a clear path from your starting point in the Southeast to your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
10/10
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 7.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 232.4 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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.4 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.
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 Morganfield, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Audubon Parkway West: Henderson.
Elizabethtown
13.9 mi in
|
~20m
Paducah
87.2 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
87.4 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
183 mi in
|
~3h 26m
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 232.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Morganfield, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Morganfield, 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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