Origin
Nortonville, KY
Night in Nortonville on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nortonville, KY to Nevada, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
162.7 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nortonville, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Nevada, KY
Stephan Müller
Trip Overview
Nortonville, KY to Nevada, KY is 162.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m via Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route. With a recommended single day for travel and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for those seeking an efficient journey without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.4 miles from Nortonville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98.2 mi | 1h 45m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| US 150 | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| Bardstown Road | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Springfield Road | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| South Bragg Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| I 65 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| US 68 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nortonville, KY and Nevada, KY.
1
Start on KY 2083
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 62
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenville Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
4
Merge onto I 169
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 169
Toward I 69 North: Henderson
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34A
Toward Elizabethtown
6
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
9
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
12
Take the exit onto US 31E Truck
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 31E Truck
Toward Bardstown
13
Turn right onto US 150
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Springfield Road
14
Continue on US 150
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bardstown Road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 150
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 150
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 150
17
Turn left onto US 68
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Bragg Street
18
Turn straight onto US 68
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 68
19
Turn left onto Bugg Road
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Bugg Road
20
Arrive at destination
Bugg Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 2m duration, starting your drive in the morning from Nortonville, KY, will give you ample time to reach Nevada, KY, comfortably within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $25, this is a trip that doesn't require extensive planning for refueling or lengthy breaks. The longest stretch is 98.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, so plan your last fuel stop before beginning this segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
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 81.4 miles from Nortonville, KY, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.4 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nevada, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nortonville, 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 Nortonville, KY
This is one driving day of about 162.7 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Nortonville, 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 98.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.4 miles from Nortonville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.2 miles.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 103 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward Elizabethtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 34A
Toward Elizabethtown
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
100.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
101 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
103 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.44 one way
$50.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.31 | $62.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.92 | $71.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.08 | $7.81 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.24 | $6.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.78 | $10.41 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Nevada, KY
Late night in Nevada on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 2m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 106.6
View on nps.gov
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 162.7
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 72.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 87% of the journey utilizing major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 98.2-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, the inclusion of US 150 indicates a potential shift to a more local feel as you approach your destination. Expect a driving rhythm dictated by these main arteries, offering a smooth, albeit potentially less varied, road surface for most of the trip.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.2 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 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 162.7 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nortonville, KY and Nevada, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Louisville
100.6 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Lexington
103 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Bardstown
103 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 162.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Nevada, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nevada, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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