Stretching 93.9 miles through the heart of Southeastern Kentucky, this drive connects Pineville to Richmond in approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. Budgeting about $14 for fuel will cover your transit across these two regional hubs. Because the duration is under two hours, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans in the area. It is an efficient way to travel between these two Kentucky cities without the need for multiple stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Pineville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
57.6 mi
1h 1m
Riverview Avenue
30.7 mi
36m
Corbin Bypass
1.9 mi
3m
Lancaster Avenue
1 mi
1m
Eastern Bypass
0.9 mi
1m
Bob Madon Bypass
0.7 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Pine Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pineville, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on Pine Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Pine Street
2
Turn left onto US 25E
0.7 mi·1 min·Bob Madon Bypass
3
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Riverview Avenue
4
Continue on US 25E
1.9 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lexington
6
Merge onto I 75
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 75
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
8
Keep slight right at fork
324 ft·9 sec
9
Turn straight onto KY 876
0.9 mi·1 min·Eastern Bypass
10
Turn left onto KY 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Main Street
12
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
13
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 93.9-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the route is a direct shot, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for formal rest breaks. Keep in mind that your longest uninterrupted segment is 57.6 miles on I-75, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. If you are heading out during peak commuting hours, check local traffic reports for the Corbin Bypass area to ensure a smooth transition between road types. Embracing the simplicity of this route allows you to focus on a quick, efficient arrival at your destination.
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 46.9 miles from Pineville, KY, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 55m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pineville, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pineville, KY
This is one driving day of about 93.9 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Pineville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 57.6 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.4 and 93.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
33.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 North: Lexington
5
91.4 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
4
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
92.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|KY 52 / Lancaster Avenue
Turn left onto KY 52 / Lancaster Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Turn left onto KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.68 one way
$29.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.12
$32.24
premium
$4.89
$18.07
$36.14
diesel
$5.61
$20.73
$41.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Pineville, KY
Late night
in Pineville on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, KY
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
London, KY
47 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
27 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
1h 48m 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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 90.6
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 61.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as roughly 61% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-75, which features a continuous 57.6-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of the drive. While the path incorporates sections of Riverview Avenue and the Corbin Bypass, the overall character remains firmly rooted in an interstate-focused experience. The transition from the more rural southeastern landscape to the Richmond area feels steady and consistent behind the wheel. You can anticipate a predictable, linear flow that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, local backroads.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Riverview Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 33.4 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 48m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 33.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 91.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 93.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 33.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 91.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, 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 Richmond, KY before heading back.
