Richmond, KY to Taylorsville, KY is 87 miles and takes about 1 hour 39 minutes via I 64 and I 75, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive keeps you within the Southeast region, primarily on major interstates. It's a practical option if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points in Kentucky. Given its relatively short distance and highway focus, it's well-suited for a same-day trip without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Richmond, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
42.6 mi
45m
I 75
27.4 mi
29m
Taylorsville Road
11.5 mi
15m
Shelbyville Road
2.6 mi
3m
Lexington Road
1.8 mi
2m
West Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
East Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North 2nd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 42.6 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, KY and Taylorsville, 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
27 mi·29 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
43 mi·45 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 32Toward KY 55: Shelbyville, TaylorsvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
361 ft·14 sec
10
Turn left onto KY 55
6.1 mi·9 min·Taylorsville Road
11
Continue on KY 55
2.6 mi·3 min·Shelbyville Road
12
Turn left onto KY 55
5.4 mi·6 min·Taylorsville Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto KY 44; KY 55
317 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
14
Turn right
41 ft·3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 39 minute trip covering 87 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon should allow ample time to reach Taylorsville, KY, before evening. The $14 fuel estimate means you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops for gas, but it's always wise to top off before departing Richmond. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 75 to I 64, as it's a key point in navigating this route efficiently.
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 43.5 miles from Richmond, KY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 19 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 48m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Taylorsville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, KY
This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 42.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 87 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
30.1 mi into trip|~33m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
8
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward KY 55: Shelbyville, Taylorsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 32
Toward KY 55: Shelbyville, Taylorsville
5
72.9 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
87 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.60 one way
$27.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.93
$29.87
premium
$4.89
$16.74
$33.48
diesel
$5.61
$19.21
$38.42
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: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.13
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 19, 2026
Origin
Richmond, KY
Afternoon
in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
12:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 7 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Destination
Taylorsville, KY
Afternoon
in Taylorsville on Sunday
Local time
12:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Clear
NW 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Louisville 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 80% of the journey on major interstates like I 64 and I 75. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 42.6 miles on I 64, offering a consistent pace. The route progresses by transitioning from I 75 to I 64, eventually leading you onto Taylorsville Road for the final segment. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained highways.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 75. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort6/10
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 87 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Richmond, KY to Taylorsville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
30.1 mi in|~33m|via I 64
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 87 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Taylorsville, 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 2.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Taylorsville, KY before heading back.
