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
68.5 mi
110 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great 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.
Middletown, KY
Brady Wilson
Spanning 68.5 miles, this straightforward trip between Middletown and Lexington is an ideal candidate for a quick day trip. You can expect to reach your destination in about 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it a manageable commute or weekend getaway. Budgeting around $10 for fuel should be sufficient for the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Kentucky, the transition between them is seamless. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics, as the short duration allows for easy travel in either direction. It is a practical, efficient route that keeps you moving through the heart of the state.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 38.8 mi | 41m |
| Frankfort Road | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| New Circle Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Versailles Road | 5 mi | 6m |
| Lexington Road | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Shelbyville Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Frankfort Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Versailles Bypass | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, KY and Lexington, KY.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto North Madison Avenue
Turn right onto US 60
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn slight left onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 4
Take the exit
Turn right onto KY 1974
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.2 miles from Middletown, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto North Madison Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Shelbyville, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 60: Frankfort, Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Versailles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$10.71 one way
$21.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.76 | $23.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.18 | $26.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.12 | $30.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.19 | $3.29 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.99 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.59 | $4.38 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Middletown on Tuesday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Lexington on Tuesday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
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 mixed-drive route offers a balance of high-speed transit and local navigation. You will spend roughly 58% of your time on highways, with the most significant portion being a 38.8-mile stretch on I-64. The journey transitions from the interstate environment onto Frankfort Road and eventually utilizes New Circle Road to navigate into Lexington. While the interstate segments provide a consistent, fast-paced rhythm, the local road components require more focused attention as you approach your destination. Expect a functional drive that shifts from open highway cruising to suburban traffic patterns as you complete the full 68.5-mile distance.
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 early in the drive near North Madison Avenue.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 (North Madison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Middletown, KY to Lexington, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Versailles along the way.
Versailles
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 68.5 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 (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Middletown, KY or browse trips ending in Lexington, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.
