Origin
Mount Vernon, KY
Morning in Mount Vernon on Sunday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Vernon, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
52.5 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Vernon, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Vernon to Lexington-Fayette is 52.5 miles and takes about 59 minutes via I 75, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip connecting two points within Kentucky's Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B. Consider this drive if you're looking for a quick and easy connection between these two locations, with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time. It's a short hop, perfect for a day trip or an easy leg of a larger journey.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 47.1 mi | 50m |
| Richmond Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| Winchester Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East New Circle Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Floyd Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Daniel Boone Trail | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 47.1 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, KY and Lexington-Fayette, KY.
1
Start on US 25
17 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Daniel Boone Trail
2
Turn right onto US 25
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 25
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 75
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 110
Toward US 60: Lexington
7
Turn left onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Winchester Road
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
9
Merge onto KY 4
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East New Circle Road
10
Turn left onto Floyd Drive
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Floyd Drive
11
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
41 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.3 miles from Mount Vernon, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 51.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 25 / Richmond Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 25 / Richmond Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
49.3 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 110
Toward US 60: Lexington
4
51.6 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.21 one way
$16.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.01 | $18.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.10 | $20.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.59 | $23.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.51 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Morning in Lexington-Fayette on Sunday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Richmond, KY
26 mi in
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
25 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
59m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 90% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience a 47.1-mile stretch on I 75 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates segments of Richmond Street and Winchester Road, which may involve slightly slower speeds as you approach your destination. Expect a generally fast-paced drive that prioritizes directness over winding scenic byways. The character is that of efficient travel, moving you swiftly through the landscape.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Richmond Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 25 / Richmond Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 52.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.1 miles (US 25 / Richmond Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 52.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.1 miles on I 75. 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 Lexington-Fayette, 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 1.1 miles (US 25 / Richmond Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Lexington-Fayette, 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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