Nicholasville, KY to Cadiz, KY is 228.3 miles and takes about 4h 16m via Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 169, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Kentucky, making it a straightforward journey through the state's heartland. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a practical option for a single-day excursion. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the way, with a single major stop recommended to break up the drive. Plan for this to be an easy, accessible drive without significant logistical hurdles.
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
114.2 miles from Nicholasville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi
1h 12m
I 169
22.6 mi
24m
Hopkinsville Road
7.4 mi
8m
Cadiz Road
7.1 mi
8m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Eagle Way
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville, KY and Cadiz, KY.
1
Start on US 27 Business
0.1 mi·20 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi·19 sec·West Oak Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 169
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Street
4
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi·7 min·Keene Road
5
Continue on KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi·20 sec·Keene Road
6
Turn left onto KY 169
0.4 mi·39 sec·Pinchard Pike
7
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi·2 min·Keene-Versailles Road
8
Continue on KY 169
4.5 mi·6 min·Pinckard Pike
9
At end of road, turn right onto KY 33
1.3 mi·2 min·Troy Pike
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
11
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·Bluegrass Parkway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
17
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
20
Continue on I 169
23 mi·24 min·I 169
Exit 106A
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward KY 1682
22
Keep slight left at fork
101 ft·2 sec
23
Turn left onto KY 1682
0.6 mi·46 sec·West Bypass Road
24
Continue on KY 1682
1.6 mi·1 min·Hopkinsville Bypass
25
Continue on KY 1682
0.4 mi·34 sec·Eagle Way
26
Merge onto KY 1682
0.2 mi·11 sec·Hopkinsville Bypass
27
Continue on KY 1682
2.1 mi·2 min·Eagle Way
28
Turn right onto US 68; KY 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Cadiz Road
29
Continue on US 68; KY 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Hopkinsville Road
30
Turn right onto US 68 Business
375 ft·7 sec·Merchant Street
31
Continue on US 68 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
32
Turn right onto Brown Street
291 ft·8 sec·Brown Street
33
Turn right onto KY 139
243 ft·4 sec·Jefferson Street
34
Arrive at destination
KY 139
Trip Plan
For this 4h 16m drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 98 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 98-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can be spread out. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in slight variations. This route is well-suited for a leisurely pace, so feel free to adjust your timing based on your preferences.
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 114.2 miles from Nicholasville, KY, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cadiz, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville, KY
This is one driving day of about 228.3 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Nicholasville, 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 183.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 169 / West Oak Street
Turn left onto KY 169 / West Oak Street
Navigation decision point
8
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
84.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
183.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.71 one way
$67.43 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.22
$74.44
premium
$4.72
$42.39
$84.78
diesel
$4.80
$43.11
$86.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
EV Truck/SUV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Nicholasville, KY
Late night
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 to 10 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:58PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Destination
Cadiz, KY
Late night
in Cadiz on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 to 8 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:58PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
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
2 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 16m 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.
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...
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 110.2
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 228.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your travel occurring on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Western Kentucky Parkway, including an uninterrupted stretch of 98 miles. This means a consistent, fast pace for much of the journey, allowing for efficient travel. While the highways provide a smooth ride, be prepared for the length of the uninterrupted segments to manage your breaks effectively. The road's character remains largely consistent, prioritizing speed and directness from start to finish.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KY 169 / West Oak Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 228.3 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 0.1 miles (KY 169 / West Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
935 ft419 ft
Total Climb
543 ft
Total Descent
1,059 ft
Highest Point
935 ft
Elevation Range
516 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nicholasville, KY and Cadiz, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Paducah
84.6 mi in|~1h 37m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
84.8 mi in|~1h 38m
Elizabethtown
85.1 mi in|~1h 38m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Mercantile Coffee & Feed
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Nicholasville, KY
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:30; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 09...
Nicholasville is a city of 31,000 (2019) in Jessamine County in the Bluegrass Region. The city serves as both a residential area for Lexington-area commuters and as an employment and shopping center for central Kentucky.
Top landmarks
•Confederate Memorial in Nicholasville — sculpture
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 228.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 miles on Western Kentucky 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 Cadiz, 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 0.1 miles (KY 169 / West Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cadiz, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
