How far is Carrollton, KY from Lexington, KY?

The driving distance from Carrollton, KY to Lexington, KY is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
74.68 mi
01h 34m
Flight
61.11 mi
98.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carrollton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.11 mi
Kilometers
98.34 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.68 mi
Kilometers
120.18 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lexington
Fri, Apr 17, 5:10 AM EDT
Return by in Carrollton
Fri, Apr 17, 6:45 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carrollton
2026-04-17T03:36
Arrive Lexington
Fri, Apr 17, 5:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carrollton
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Frankfort
KY

County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city

From Carrollton
37.3 mi
00h 47m
To Lexington
37.4 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carrollton and Lexington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton and Lexington.

  1. 1

    Start on Highland Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Park Avenue

    2162 ft · 37 sec · Park Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Owenton Road

    8 mi · 12 min · Owenton Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto KY 355

    12.3 mi · 22 min · KY 355

  5. 5

    Continue on Crittenden Street

    939 ft · 20 sec · Crittenden Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Waverly Road

    91 m · 8 sec · Waverly Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    6.6 mi · 12 min · Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn right

    16.2 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    694 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit left

    12 m · 2 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    1694 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Wilkinson Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Wilkinson Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Versailles Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Versailles Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Frankfort Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Frankfort Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Frankfort Road

    5.9 mi · 7 min · Frankfort Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Versailles Bypass

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Versailles Bypass

  17. 17

    Turn slight left onto Lexington Road

    3.6 mi · 4 min · Lexington Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Versailles Road

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road

    1920 ft · 47 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto New Circle Road

    5.6 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 1974: Lexington

    1224 ft · 33 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Tates Creek Road

    1044 ft · 29 sec · Tates Creek Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Gainesway Drive

    1 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Coldstream Drive

    80 m · 9 sec · Coldstream Drive

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Coldstream Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carrollton and Lexington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
KY 355
12.3 mi · 16%
Owenton Road
7.99 mi · 11%
Versailles Road
7.74 mi · 10%
Main Street
6.7 mi · 9%
Frankfort Road
5.9 mi · 8%
New Circle Road
5.64 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

16.2 mi · 00h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
61.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Frankfort
00h 47m from Carrollton
Leave By
3:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Carrollton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Lexington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carrollton to Lexington?

The road trip is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km) and usually takes 01h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Frankfort is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Carrollton and 37.4 miles from Lexington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carrollton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Lexington.

Stop Ideas Near Frankfort

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Frankfort, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Frankfort.

BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

78 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
RAIL

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

104 mi away
1301 Western Ave.
BUS

Cincinnati, OH

106 mi away
1005 Gilbert Avenue
RAIL

Maysville

108 mi away
West Front St & Rosemary Clooney St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carrollton and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 61.11 mi (98.34 km).

Carrollton

#1 Carrollton

County seat in Kentucky

Population3,806
Coordinates38.6809000, -85.1794000
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Lexington

#2 Lexington

The second most populous city in Kentucky.

Population225,366
Coordinates37.9886900, -84.4777200
Altitude295
CountryUnited States
Start: Highland Avenue (-85.179425, 38.681124)
End: Coldstream Drive (-84.477478, 37.988621)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.97 L · about $9.92
Round trip
$19.84
5.26 gal · 19.94 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.92 $19.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.19 $22.37
Premium $4.65 $12.24 $24.48
Diesel $5.30 $13.95 $27.90

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Kentucky · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Carrollton and Lexington. The current time is 03:36:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.