This straightforward 154.4-mile drive from Scottsville, KY to Richmond, KY is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Cumberland Parkway and I-75, with a short section of KY 461, making it a highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route offers an economical way to travel within Kentucky's Southeast region. The drive is direct and efficient, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. Consider this a reliable option for a quick journey, with one recommended stop along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.2 miles from Scottsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
74.1 mi
1h 19m
I 75
24.5 mi
26m
KY 461
17.6 mi
20m
Scottsville Road
12.5 mi
14m
KY 80
10.7 mi
14m
New Glasgow Road
8.5 mi
9m
Smiths Grove Road
1.3 mi
2m
Lancaster Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 74.1 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsville, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on KY 101
1.3 mi·2 min·Smiths Grove Road
2
Turn right onto US 31E
8.5 mi·9 min·New Glasgow Road
3
Continue on US 31E
12 mi·14 min·Scottsville Road
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
5
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·Cumberland Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
7
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
8
Turn left onto KY 80
11 mi·14 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
10
Turn straight onto KY 461
18 mi·20 min·KY 461
11
Continue on US 25
0.8 mi·1 min·Richmond Street
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
15
Keep slight right at fork
324 ft·9 sec
16
Turn straight onto KY 876
0.9 mi·1 min·Eastern Bypass
17
Turn left onto KY 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Main Street
19
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft·2 sec·North 2nd Street
20
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 55-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day excursion from Scottsville to Richmond. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination and still have the day ahead. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the 154.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is over 74 miles on the Cumberland Parkway. Planning your fuel stops accordingly will ensure a smooth journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.2 miles from Scottsville, KY, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.1 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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
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 Scottsville, 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 Scottsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 154.4 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Scottsville, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 74.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 96.7 and 154.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
96.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 86
Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
4
97.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|KY 80
Turn left onto KY 80
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
152 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster
5
154.4 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Turn left onto KY 388 / North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.14 one way
$48.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.50
$53.01
premium
$4.89
$29.71
$59.43
diesel
$5.61
$34.09
$68.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.3
0
$16.21
$7.41
Efficient EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
EV Truck/SUV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
Scottsville, KY
Night
in Scottsville on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
S 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richmond, KY
Night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Liberty, KY
77 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
2h 55m 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.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 154.4
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 21.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 82% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant 74.1-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, offering a consistent pace for a substantial portion of your trip. The transition to I-75 and then KY 461 means you'll experience typical interstate driving followed by a more localized highway feel as you approach Richmond. This blend ensures a dynamic yet efficient travel experience, minimizing slower local road segments.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.1 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and I 75. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 96.7 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 154.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.4 miles (KY 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,175 ft666 ft
Total Climb
763 ft
Total Descent
571 ft
Highest Point
1,175 ft
~88.2 mi in
Elevation Range
510 ft
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 Scottsville, KY to Richmond, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Burnside along the way.
Burnside
96.7 mi in|~1h 46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 154.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.1 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.4 miles (KY 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. 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 Richmond, KY before heading back.
