Lexington, KY to Tompkinsville, KY is 136.9 miles and takes about 2h 48m via Hustonville Road and Cumberland Parkway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey for a single day. The route is a mixed drive, so expect a variety of road types as you make your way south. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this drive is a practical option for a quick 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
68.5 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Hustonville Road
47.2 mi
54m
Cumberland Parkway
32 mi
34m
North Main Street
15.8 mi
22m
Lexington Road
15.1 mi
19m
KY 163
9.3 mi
11m
Nicholasville Bypass
6 mi
7m
Nicholasville Road
2.5 mi
3m
Chenault Bridge Road
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Hustonville Road
— 47.2 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Tompkinsville, 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
0.9 mi·1 min·New Circle Road
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 19Toward US 27: Nicholasville, LexingtonUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto US 27
2.5 mi·3 min·Nicholasville Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 27
4.5 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
9
Turn left onto US 27 Business
3.8 mi·6 min·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 27
6.0 mi·7 min·Nicholasville Bypass
11
Continue on US 27
6.4 mi·7 min·Lexington Road
12
Turn right onto KY 34
1.4 mi·2 min·Chenault Bridge Road
13
Continue on KY 34
3.6 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
14
Continue on KY 34
0.7 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
15
Continue on KY 34
0.9 mi·1 min·East Lexington Avenue
16
Turn left onto KY 34
0.3 mi·27 sec·Wilderness Road
17
Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52
0.4 mi·47 sec·West Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 127
1.0 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
19
Continue on US 127
47 mi·54 min·Hustonville Road
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward Cumberland Parkway West
21
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
32 mi·34 min·Cumberland Parkway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 68: Edmonton, Greensburg
23
Turn left onto US 68
350 ft·4 sec·Greensburg Road
24
Continue on US 68
1.1 mi·1 min·Greensburg Street
25
Turn straight
207 ft·3 sec
26
Turn slight right onto US 68; KY 80
12 mi·16 min·North Main Street
27
Continue on KY 163
9.3 mi·11 min·KY 163
28
Turn right onto KY 63
61 ft·1 sec·West 4th Street
29
Arrive at destination
KY 63
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 48m estimated drive time and 136.9 miles, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, so you can be flexible with your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, and with only one stop recommended, you can plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 47.2-mile stretch on Hustonville Road, as services might be less frequent there. Aim to leave in the morning to allow ample daylight for the entire journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 27m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tompkinsville, 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 136.9 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Hustonville Road for about 47.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 114.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Gainesway Drive
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
Navigation decision point
8
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Nicholasville, Lexington
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 19
Toward US 27: Nicholasville, Lexington
6
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in|US 27 / Nicholasville Road
Turn left onto US 27 / Nicholasville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
9.9 mi into trip|~15m in|US 27 Business / North Main Street
Turn left onto US 27 Business / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 68: Edmonton, Greensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 68: Edmonton, Greensburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.40 one way
$42.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.50
$47.00
premium
$4.89
$26.35
$52.69
diesel
$5.61
$30.23
$60.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.37
$6.57
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.98
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.17
$8.76
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lexington, KY
Morning
in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tompkinsville, KY
Morning
in Tompkinsville on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Junction City, KY
68 mi in
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
2h 48m 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...
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 66.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with approximately 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches like Hustonville Road, which accounts for the longest continuous segment at 47.2 miles, suggesting a more local road feel for a significant portion. The profile indicates a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more winding or slower-paced sections on local roads. As you progress, the character of the drive will shift, transitioning between these different road types.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on Hustonville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Gainesway Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 136.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (Gainesway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles (US 27 / Nicholasville Road): 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 Tompkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Cumberland Parkway West and Greensburg.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 136.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on Hustonville Road. 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 Tompkinsville, 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: near the start (Gainesway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles (US 27 / Nicholasville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument and Mill Springs Battlefield 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 Tompkinsville, KY before heading back.
