Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
54.3 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nicholasville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Stanton, KY
Wikimedia Commons
This 54.3-mile drive from Nicholasville, KY to Stanton, KY is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 8 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, it's an economical option for a single-day adventure. The journey primarily utilizes Mountain Parkway and I 64, offering a mixed driving experience. Since it's a short distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule. This route is entirely within the Southeast region of Kentucky, so you'll be experiencing consistent regional scenery throughout.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Parkway | 22.1 mi | 23m |
| I 64 | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| Man O War Boulevard | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Lexington Road | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Winchester Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| New Circle Road | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Nicholasville Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville, KY and Stanton, KY.
Start on US 27 Business
Turn right onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 4
Take the exit
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 60
Turn left onto KY 859
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway
Take the exit
Turn sharp left onto KY 213
Turn right onto KY 11; KY 15
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Nicholasville, 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 8.4 and 31.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Alumni Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
At end of road, turn right onto US 60 / Winchester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$8.49 one way
$16.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.32 | $18.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.45 | $20.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.61 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Morning in Nicholasville on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Destination
Morning in Stanton on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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.
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 59% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Mountain Parkway and I 64, interspersed with other road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 22.1 miles on the Mountain Parkway, providing a good opportunity to settle in. The road character shifts between faster highway travel and potentially more local roads as you approach your destination, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
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 around 8.4 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nicholasville, KY and Stanton, KY, road signs point toward Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.
Mountain Parkway East
Prestonsburg
Campton
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 54.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). 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.
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