Origin
Lexington, KY
Morning in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington, KY to Russellville, 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 32m
Distance
188.2 mi
303 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russellville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 188.2-mile journey from Lexington, KY to Russellville, KY is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. You'll primarily navigate I-65 and the Bluegrass Parkway, with a portion on Bowling Green Road. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, it's an economical option for a short trip within the Southeast region. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to travel between these two Kentucky locations.
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
94.1 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 71.9 mi | 1h 17m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| Bowling Green Road | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Russellville Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| New Circle Road | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Versailles Road | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| I 165 | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| East Jefferson Davis Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 71.9 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Russellville, 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
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
15
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
I 165
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
17
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Bowling Green Road
19
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Jefferson Davis Highway
20
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Bowling Green Road
21
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Franklin Street
22
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Franklin Road
23
Continue on US 68 Business
373 ft
·
6 sec
·
Franklin Street
24
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
East 4th Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 68 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 32-minute duration, starting your drive from Lexington in the morning is recommended to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops along the way. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility; consider refueling before you depart or during the longest stretch on I-65 to ensure you stay within your estimated $29 fuel budget. Pay attention to signage as you transition from major highways to more local roads like Bowling Green Road closer to Russellville, as road conditions and speed limits may change.
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 94.1 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russellville, 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 188.2 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 I 65 for about 71.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.1 miles from Lexington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.9 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 1.7 and 163 — 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
8
157.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
158.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
163 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.42 one way
$58.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.31 | $64.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.22 | $72.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.55 | $83.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.76 | $9.03 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.47 | $7.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.35 | $12.04 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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
Russellville, KY
Morning in Russellville on Sunday
Local time
9:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
3h 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 78% of this 188.2-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71.9 miles on I-65, offering a consistent pace. While much of the drive utilizes interstate conditions, the inclusion of the Bluegrass Parkway and Bowling Green Road suggests a potential shift in scenery and road type as you get closer to your destination. This mix offers a blend of efficient travel and perhaps a more local feel on the latter parts of the route.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.9 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Bluegrass Parkway. 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
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 188.2 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 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 157.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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, KY and Russellville, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Scottsville and Bowling Green.
Elizabethtown
13.9 mi in
|
~20m
Scottsville
157.9 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Bowling Green
163 mi in
|
~3h 2m
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 3h 32m. Total distance: 188.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.9 miles on I 65. 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 Russellville, 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 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 157.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Russellville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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