Origin
Shepherdsville, KY
Afternoon in Shepherdsville on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shepherdsville, KY to Lexington, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
85.1 mi
137 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shepherdsville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Shepherdsville, KY to Lexington, KY is 85.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m via Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky's Southeast region, offering a mixed drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll experience a blend of road types, making it an easy and straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for a convenient connection between these two points without a demanding travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Parkway | 46.3 mi | 49m |
| New Shepherdsville Road | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Clermont Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| New Circle Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Versailles Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| West John Rowan Boulevard | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Kentucky Turnpike | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Lexington Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 46.3 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shepherdsville, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on 3rd Street
203 ft
·
10 sec
·
3rd Street
2
Turn right onto KY 61
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Buckman Street
3
Turn right onto KY 44
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
East 4th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Kentucky Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 112
Toward KY 245: Bardstown, Clermont
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto KY 245
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Clermont Road
8
Continue on KY 245
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
New Shepherdsville Road
9
Continue on KY 245
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West John Rowan Boulevard
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 150; US 31E Truck
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Springfield Road
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
12
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
46 mi
·
49 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
14
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
15
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
17
Merge onto KY 4
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto KY 1974
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Tates Creek Road
20
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gainesway Drive
21
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
261 ft
·
9 sec
·
Coldstream Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Coldstream Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, this is an ideal same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, plan to fill up before you leave Shepherdsville to ensure you have plenty for the 85.1-mile journey. While there are no designated stops in the data, the longest stretch is over 46 miles, so consider a brief pause if needed. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially as you transition from the Bluegrass Parkway onto local routes near Lexington.
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 42.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 54m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shepherdsville, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shepherdsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 85.1 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Shepherdsville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Bluegrass Parkway for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 83.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike
Merge onto I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward KY 245: Bardstown, Clermont
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 112
Toward KY 245: Bardstown, Clermont
5
24.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
US 150; US 31E Truck / Springfield Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 150; US 31E Truck / Springfield Road
Navigation decision point
5
71.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Frankfort
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
7
83.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.30 one way
$26.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.61 | $29.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.38 | $32.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.79 | $37.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.29
Kentucky Turnpike
(4.2 mi)
$0.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 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 | 25.5 | 0 | $8.94 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.45 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.45 |
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.
Destination
Lexington, KY
Afternoon in Lexington on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Bloomfield, KY
43 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
1h 45m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
View on nps.gov
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 20.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 59% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on quicker roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 46.3 miles along the Bluegrass Parkway, providing a solid block of steady travel. Expect a mixed drive profile, transitioning between the parkway and local roads like New Shepherdsville Road and Clermont Road. This variety means the pace will shift, offering a dynamic experience behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate crawl.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on Bluegrass Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 1.1 miles (I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 150; US 31E Truck / Springfield 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.
On the drive from Shepherdsville, KY to Lexington, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Clermont along the way.
Clermont
5.3 mi in
|
~6m
About the Cities
Arriving in Lexington, KY
Full guide →Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky, located in the Bluegrass Region. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington has traditionally been dominated by the horse industry and is also heavily influenced by the University of Kentucky, the state's flagship university and the largest employer in the city. The horse industry has greatly influenced Lexington's culture and scenic beauty; the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University contribute to a college town atmosphere with a richer and more diverse culture than some might expect from its size and location. Lexington's compact central downtown district is surrounded by historic neighborhoods. Lexington is in the heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is still home to hundreds of horse farms.
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 1h 45m. Total distance: 85.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on Bluegrass Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.29 in tolls one way, starting with Kentucky Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Lexington, 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 1.1 miles (I 65 / Kentucky Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 150; US 31E Truck / Springfield Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical 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 Lexington, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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