Pleasure Ridge Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY is 87.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, primarily traversing the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward journey focused on efficient travel between these two points. Given its relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for your destination activities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Pleasure Ridge Park, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
44.8 mi
49m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10.5 mi
14m
Frankfort Road
5.9 mi
6m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Dixie Highway
3 mi
6m
Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi
2m
Troy Pike
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 44.8 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasure Ridge Park, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on Bayshore Court
20 ft·2 sec·Bayshore Court
2
Turn right onto Feyhurst Drive
362 ft·23 sec·Feyhurst Drive
3
Turn left onto KY 1931
1.0 mi·2 min·Greenwood Road
4
Turn left onto US 31W; US 60
3.0 mi·6 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 264: Watterson ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·40 sec
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
7
Continue on I 264
11 mi·14 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 64 East: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 64
45 mi·49 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 58Toward US 60: Frankfort, Versailles
11
Keep slight right at fork
249 ft·6 sec
Toward Versailles
12
Merge onto US 60
0.6 mi·45 sec·Versailles Road
13
Continue on US 60
1.8 mi·2 min·Frankfort Highway
14
Continue on US 60
5.9 mi·6 min·Frankfort Road
15
Turn slight right onto US 60 Business; US 62
0.8 mi·1 min·Frankfort Street
16
Continue on US 60 Business; US 62
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on KY 33
2.1 mi·3 min·Troy Pike
18
Turn left onto KY 169
4.5 mi·6 min·Pinckard Pike
19
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi·2 min·Keene-Versailles Road
20
Continue on KY 169
0.4 mi·40 sec·Pinchard Pike
21
Turn right onto KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi·21 sec·Keene Road
22
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi·7 min·Keene Road
23
Continue on KY 169
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Street
24
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Oak Street
25
Turn right onto US 27 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
With a total drive time under two hours, this route offers great flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive well before lunch, or even head out in the afternoon. Consider leaving Pleasure Ridge Park after the morning rush hour to maximize your time on the road. The longest stretch is on I 64, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 44.8-mile mark on that segment, ensuring you don't need to detour for gas unexpectedly.
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 43.6 miles from Pleasure Ridge Park, KY, or about 56m 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 19 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 56m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholasville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pleasure Ridge Park, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pleasure Ridge Park, KY
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Pleasure Ridge Park, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 61.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 264: Watterson Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway
5
4.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
7
15.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
6
61 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Frankfort, Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 58
Toward US 60: Frankfort, Versailles
6
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Versailles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Versailles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.63 one way
$27.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.97
$29.94
premium
$4.89
$16.78
$33.56
diesel
$5.61
$19.25
$38.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Pleasure Ridge Park, KY
Morning
in Pleasure Ridge Park on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Morning
in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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 51m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 87.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 64 and the Henry Watterson Expressway. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 44.8 miles on I 64, indicating long periods of consistent highway speed. The route transitions from surface streets onto the expressway and then the interstate, offering a predictable driving experience for most of the trip. The character is largely about covering ground efficiently rather than intricate twists and turns.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pleasure Ridge Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Versailles along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). 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 Nicholasville, 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 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Nicholasville, KY before heading back.
