Nicholasville, KY to Northfield, KY is 75.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via I 64 and Frankfort Road, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to itself. Expect a drive that's primarily on highways, making it a straightforward journey. It's a relatively short drive, giving you flexibility for when you depart and if you decide to make any spontaneous stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
44.8 mi
49m
Frankfort Road
6 mi
6m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi
2m
Troy Pike
2.1 mi
3m
Frankfort Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Henry Watterson Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 44.8 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville, KY and Northfield, 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
2.1 mi·3 min·Troy Pike
10
Continue on KY 33
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
11
Continue on US 60 Business; US 62
0.6 mi·51 sec·Frankfort Street
12
Continue on US 60 Business; US 62
472 ft·7 sec·US 60 Business; US 62
13
Turn left onto US 60; US 62
6.0 mi·6 min·Frankfort Road
14
Continue on US 60
1.8 mi·2 min·Frankfort Highway
15
Continue on US 60
0.8 mi·1 min·Versailles Road
16
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
17
Merge onto I 64
45 mi·49 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 12Toward I 264 East: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 East, US 60 West: Watterson Expressway, Saint MatthewsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 264
1.5 mi·2 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 22Toward US 42, KY 22: Brownsboro RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
291 ft·7 sec
Toward US 42: Brownsboro RoadUse the left lane.
24
Continue on this road
296 ft·7 sec·this road
Exit 34Toward US 42: Brownsboro RoadUse the left / right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
117 ft·5 sec
Toward US 42 EastUse the right lane.
26
Turn right onto US 42
365 ft·14 sec·Brownsboro Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Northfield Drive
377 ft·14 sec·Northfield Drive
28
Turn right onto Newmarket Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Newmarket Drive
29
At end of road, turn left onto Stannye Drive
0.1 mi·36 sec·Stannye Drive
30
Turn left onto Stannye Court
275 ft·12 sec·Stannye Court
31
Arrive at destination
Stannye Court
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 35 minute duration, this is easily a same-day trip, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, planning for gas isn't a major concern, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Nicholasville. There are no specific designated stops mentioned, so you have the freedom to pull over as needed. Pay attention as you transition off I 64 onto Frankfort Road, as this is where the road character shifts.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northfield, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Nicholasville, KY
This is one driving day of about 75.6 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Nicholasville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 44.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.3 and 74.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
8
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East, US 60 West: Watterson Expressway, Saint Matthews
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 264 East, US 60 West: Watterson Expres...
8
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 42, KY 22: Brownsboro Road
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 22
Toward US 42, KY 22: Brownsboro Road
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 42: Brownsboro Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 42: Brownsboro Road
8
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 42 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 42 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.82 one way
$23.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.98
$25.95
premium
$4.89
$14.55
$29.10
diesel
$5.61
$16.69
$33.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.94
$3.63
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.61
$3.02
EV Truck/SUV
30.2
0
$10.58
$4.84
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Nicholasville, KY
Late night
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Northfield, KY
Late night
in Northfield on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Versailles, KY
38 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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
1h 35m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive has a highway-focused profile, with 61% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 44.8 miles on I 64, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While much of the journey is on faster roads like I 64, segments on Frankfort Road and Keene Road will bring you closer to the local landscape. It's a mix that balances efficient travel with brief glimpses of the surrounding Kentucky terrain.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Frankfort Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 75.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on I 64. 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 Northfield, 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 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson 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 Northfield, KY before heading back.
