How far is Frankfort, KY from Franklin, KY?
The driving distance from Frankfort, KY to Franklin, KY is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 07m.
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.
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Franklin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Franklin.
-
1
Start on Elk Alley
8 m · 7 sec · Elk Alley
-
2
Turn left onto Mero Street
1653 ft · 58 sec · Mero Street
-
3
Continue on West Frankfort Connector
2.8 mi · 4 min · West Frankfort Connector
-
4
Continue on Lawrenceburg Road
6.1 mi · 8 min · Lawrenceburg Road
-
5
Continue on Frankfort Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · Frankfort Road
-
6
Continue on Bypass North
2.5 mi · 3 min · Bypass North
-
7
Continue on Old Frankfort Road
4.5 mi · 5 min · Old Frankfort Road
-
8
Continue straight
155 m · 10 sec
-
9
Take the exit right
1884 ft · 46 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway
58.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Bluegrass Parkway
-
11
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left
86.8 mi · 1 hr 33 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 100: Scottsville, Franklin
1279 ft · 31 sec
-
14
Turn right onto Scottsville Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Scottsville Road
-
15
Turn right onto Rapids Road
78 m · 10 sec · Rapids Road
-
16
Turn left onto Scottsville Road
3226 ft · 1 min · Scottsville Road
-
17
Continue on East Cedar Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Cedar Street
-
18
Turn right onto North Water Street
30 m · 4 sec · North Water Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Water Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Franklin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Bluegrass Parkway
Merge slight left
86.8 mi · 01h 33m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Frankfort and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Franklin?
The road trip is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.1 miles from Frankfort and 84.1 miles from Franklin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.36 one way or $44.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Frankfort and Franklin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Frankfort and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Franklin.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 138.45 mi (222.82 km).
#1 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 27,715 |
| Coordinates | 38.2009100, -84.8732800 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Franklin
City in and county seat of Simpson County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 9,046 |
| Coordinates | 36.7222600, -86.5772200 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: Franklin (-86.57722, 36.72226)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.36 | $44.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.22 | $50.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.45 | $62.91 |
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 · May 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.