How far is Dawson Springs, KY from Lexington, KY?
The driving distance from Dawson Springs, KY to Lexington, KY is about 202.4 miles (325.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dawson Springs and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dawson Springs and Lexington.
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1
Start on South Main Street
6 m · 3 sec · South Main Street
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2
Turn right onto East Arcadia Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · East Arcadia Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Industrial Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Industrial Parkway
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4
Continue on Charleston Road
147 m · 11 sec · Charleston Road
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5
Take the ramp right
1232 ft · 30 sec
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6
Merge slight left
13 mi · 14 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1783 ft · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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8
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
1955 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
3052 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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13
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 West: Frankfort
571 ft · 16 sec
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15
Turn right onto Lexington Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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16
Continue on Versailles Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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17
Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
1920 ft · 47 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward KY 1974: Lexington
1224 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
1044 ft · 29 sec · Tates Creek Road
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21
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive
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22
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
80 m · 9 sec · Coldstream Drive
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Coldstream Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dawson Springs and Lexington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Dawson Springs and Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dawson Springs to Lexington?
The road trip is about 202.4 miles (325.7 km) and usually takes 03h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sonora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.1 miles from Dawson Springs and 101.3 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.92 one way or $53.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Dawson Springs and Lexington, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dawson Springs and Sunny near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Sonora
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sonora.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dawson Springs and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 184.94 mi (297.64 km).
#1 Dawson Springs
City in Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 2,629 |
| Coordinates | 37.1672700, -87.6925100 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Coldstream Drive (-84.477478, 37.988621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.92 | $53.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.23 | $66.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.