Reidland, KY to Richmond, KY is 275 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 69, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive mostly stays within Kentucky, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a straightforward, largely highway experience that's convenient for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable route for most drivers looking for an efficient way to cover this distance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.5 miles from Reidland, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
38.3 mi
41m
I 24
24.6 mi
26m
I 75
13.3 mi
14m
New Circle Road
7.3 mi
9m
Versailles Road
4.4 mi
6m
Lexington Road
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,892 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,457
Quietest
2 AM
~278 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 35 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reidland, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on KY 131
63 ft·9 sec·Reidland Rd
2
Turn left onto KY 1887
0.3 mi·41 sec·Park Road
3
Turn right onto US 62
1.2 mi·1 min·Kentucky Dam Road
4
Turn right onto US 68
1.1 mi·1 min·US 68
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
6
Merge onto I 24
25 mi·26 min·I 24
7
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
16
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
19
Merge onto KY 4
7.3 mi·9 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 16Toward Alumni Drive
21
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Alumni Drive
22
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Man O War Boulevard
23
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
1.5 mi·2 min·Richmond Road
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on KY 418
2.4 mi·2 min·Athens Boonesboro Road
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Knoxville
26
Merge onto I 75
13 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 90BToward US 25 North, US 421 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft·8 sec·Lexington Road
29
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
30
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
31
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
32
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
33
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of time to take breaks as needed without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on fuel, as the estimated cost is $43, and plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially before embarking on the 99.2-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of arriving at your destination the same day, avoiding the need for an overnight stay.
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 137.5 miles from Reidland, KY, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 61 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.5 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
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 Reidland, 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 Reidland, KY
This is one driving day of about 275 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Reidland, 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 99.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.5 and 272 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.5 mi into trip|~30m in|I 69
Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
165 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
8
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
8
272 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 25 North, US 421 North
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 90B
Toward US 25 North, US 421 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.61 one way
$81.22 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.83
$89.67
premium
$4.72
$51.06
$102.12
diesel
$4.80
$51.93
$103.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.88
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.8
0
$24.06
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.50
$17.60
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Reidland, KY
Late night
in Reidland on Sunday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Richmond, KY
Late night
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
1 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
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 170.7
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 265.5
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 132.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the trip on major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 69. You'll encounter a long stretch of 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway before transitioning to other highways. The high highway percentage means you can expect consistent cruising speeds for most of the drive, with fewer interruptions from local traffic until you approach your destination.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 27.5 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 275 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 27.5 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
973 ft359 ft
Total Climb
969 ft
Total Descent
420 ft
Highest Point
973 ft
~255.3 mi in
Elevation Range
614 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reidland, KY and Richmond, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Richmond is a city in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Lexington. The county seat of Madison County, Richmond is best known as the home of Eastern Kentucky University.
Top landmarks
•White Hall — house in Richmond, Kentucky
•Madison County Courthouse — courthouse in Kentucky, United States
•Downtown Richmond Historic District — historic district in Richmond, Kentucky
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 275 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Richmond, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.5 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richmond, KY before the return drive.
