Richmond, KY to Fulton, KY is 313.6 miles and takes about 5h 50m via I 69 and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, traversing the state from east-central to the western edge. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward option for a single-day drive. You'll find it efficient for covering ground, especially if you're looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. Expect a practical, no-frills drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination.
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
156.8 miles from Richmond, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
102.7 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
I 75
13.5 mi
14m
New Circle Road
7.5 mi
10m
Versailles Road
4.7 mi
6m
Lexington Road
3.2 mi
4m
Athens Boonesboro Road
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,920 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,605
Quietest
2 AM
~274 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 84 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 Richmond, KY and Fulton, KY.
1
Start on KY 388
104 ft·6 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52
0.5 mi·45 sec·West Main Street
3
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
4
Turn left onto US 25; US 421
0.2 mi·28 sec·Lexington Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
6
Merge onto I 75
14 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 104Toward KY 418: Lexington, AthensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
361 ft·11 sec
9
Continue on KY 418
2.6 mi·3 min·Athens Boonesboro Road
10
Continue on US 25; US 421
1.6 mi·2 min·Richmond Road
11
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Man O War Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Alumni Drive
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward KY 4 West
14
Merge onto KY 4
7.5 mi·10 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the right lane.
16
Continue on US 60
4.7 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 60
1.3 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
19
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
21
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
25
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
26
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
27
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
49 mi·52 min·I 69
Exit 25A
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Fulton
31
Turn left onto KY 307
445 ft·13 sec·Fulgham Road
32
Continue on KY 307
0.5 mi·51 sec·Kentucky Avenue
33
Turn right onto US 45; KY 307
53 ft·0 sec·North Highland Drive
34
Turn slight left onto KY 307
502 ft·9 sec·Mayfield Road
35
Continue on KY 307
0.3 mi·29 sec·Martin L King Jr Drive
36
Turn right onto KY 307
0.2 mi·27 sec·KY 307
37
Continue on KY 307
0.1 mi·18 sec·Lake Street
38
Turn left onto Walnut Street
116 ft·7 sec·Walnut Street
39
Turn left
157 ft·11 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 50 minute drive time, leaving Richmond, KY in the morning should allow you to reach Fulton, KY before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 92% highway share, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Consider fueling up before you leave Richmond, as the longest stretch on I 69 is over 100 miles. The $50 fuel cost estimate suggests efficient travel, but always check current prices. You'll find the drive largely uneventful, so plan your podcasts or audiobooks accordingly.
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 156.8 miles from Richmond, KY, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 69 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.8 miles or 2h 59m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fulton, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY
This is one driving day of about 313.6 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Richmond, 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 I 69 for about 102.7 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.2 and 246.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.2 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward KY 418: Lexington, Athens
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 104
Toward KY 418: Lexington, Athens
7
30.1 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
109.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
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 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
110 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
7
246.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68B
Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.03 one way
$98.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.54
$56.04
$112.08
premium
$4.97
$61.36
$122.72
diesel
$6.12
$75.60
$151.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
Efficient EV
78.4
0
$27.44
$12.54
EV Truck/SUV
125.4
1
$43.90
$20.07
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Richmond, KY
Morning
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:02PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:17PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Destination
Fulton, KY
Late night
in Fulton on Sunday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear
NNE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 9:02PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:17PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
45°F
Morgantown, KY
157 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 97.3
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 10.8
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 140.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a high highway percentage at 92%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roadways like I 69 and the Western Kentucky Parkway. The longest continuous stretch without a major exit is 102.7 miles on I 69. You'll notice a significant amount of rural cruising, with exits spaced further apart as you move away from the initial parkway segments. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your final destination in Fulton.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.2 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 313.6 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.8 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
978 ft362 ft
Total Climb
300 ft
Total Descent
889 ft
Highest Point
978 ft
~22.4 mi in
Elevation Range
616 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond, KY and Fulton, KY, road signs point toward Athens, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
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 50m. Total distance: 313.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 69. 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 Fulton, 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.8 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fulton, KY before the return drive.
