Origin
Richmond, KY
Late night in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, KY to Russell, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
121.8 mi
196 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Richmond, KY to Russell, KY is 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Kentucky's Southeast region, offering a straightforward drive for those looking to connect two points efficiently. With 79% of the drive on the highway, you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising. This is a solid option for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for departure flexibility and arrival without feeling rushed. Expect a predictable travel experience focused on covering ground.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Richmond, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 81.9 mi | 1h 27m |
| Boonesborough Road | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Industrial Parkway | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| I 75 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Argillite Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Lexington Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Boone Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Greenbo Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 81.9 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, KY and Russell, 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
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 75
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
8
Turn right onto KY 627
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Boonesborough Road
9
Continue on KY 627
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Boone Avenue
10
Turn left onto KY 627
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Street
11
Continue on KY 627
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Paris Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
13
Merge onto I 64
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 64
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
81 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 64
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 179
Toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
16
Continue on KY 67
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Industrial Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
18
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Argillite Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 503
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Argillite Road
20
Continue on KY 207
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Greenbo Boulevard
21
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 693
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Bellefonte Road
22
Turn left onto KY 1172
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Devil Lane
23
Turn right onto KY 750
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Seaton Drive
24
Turn slight right onto Gesling Road
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Gesling Road
25
Arrive at destination
Gesling Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 23m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving anytime in the morning should get you to Russell with plenty of daylight remaining. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so plan accordingly. While the drive is short, consider a brief stop around the halfway mark if needed, perhaps near the end of the 81.9-mile I 64 stretch. Since you're not on the highway for the entire trip, pay attention to speed limit changes when you transition to Boonesborough Road and Industrial Parkway.
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 60.9 miles from Richmond, KY, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.9 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 11m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell, 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 121.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Richmond, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 81.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.9 miles from Richmond, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.9 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 119.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 627: Boonesborough, Winchester
6
104.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 179
Toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
KY 207 / Argillite Road
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207 / Argillite Road
Navigation decision point
5
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
KY 207; KY 503 / Argillite Road
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 503 / Argillite Road
Navigation decision point
5
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
KY 207; KY 693 / Bellefonte Road
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 693 / Bellefonte Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.04 one way
$38.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.91 | $41.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.44 | $46.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.89 | $53.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.79 | $5.85 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.66 | $4.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.05 | $7.80 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Russell, KY
Late night in Russell on Tuesday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
1 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
2h 23m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 79% of the 121.8 miles on I 64. You'll encounter a long stretch of 81.9 miles on I 64 before transitioning to surface roads like Boonesborough Road and Industrial Parkway. Be prepared for the dense exits and merging traffic common on interstate travel for the majority of your time behind the wheel. The transition to surface roads will likely feel more rural.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.9 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Boonesborough Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.8 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.1 miles (KY 207 / Argillite Road): Navigation decision point.
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 Richmond, KY and Russell, KY, road signs point toward Winchester and Greenup.
Winchester
7 mi in
|
~9m
Greenup
104.6 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Richmond, KY
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.9 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 Russell, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.1 miles (KY 207 / Argillite Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Russell, KY before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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