How far is Franklin, KY from Frankfort, KY?
The driving distance from Franklin, KY to Frankfort, KY is about 169.1 miles (272.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 38m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Frankfort.
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1
Start on North Water Street
30 m · 10 sec · North Water Street
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2
Turn left onto East Cedar Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Cedar Street
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3
Continue on Scottsville Road
3226 ft · 1 min · Scottsville Road
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4
Turn right onto Rapids Road
78 m · 11 sec · Rapids Road
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5
Turn left onto Scottsville Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Scottsville Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1557 ft · 38 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
86.9 mi · 1 hr 33 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
-
9
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
58.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Bluegrass Parkway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 127 North: Lawrenceburg, Frankfort
1604 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
12
Continue straight
14.1 mi · 17 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right
58 m · 5 sec
-
14
Turn slight right onto Louisville Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Louisville Road
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15
Continue on West 2nd Street
2405 ft · 50 sec · West 2nd Street
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16
Turn left onto Capital Avenue
1058 ft · 32 sec · Capital Avenue
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
48 m · 10 sec · East Main Street
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18
Turn right onto High Street
766 ft · 23 sec · High Street
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19
Turn left onto West Clinton Street
75 m · 7 sec · West Clinton Street
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20
Turn right onto Elk Alley
135 m · 19 sec · Elk Alley
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elk Alley
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Frankfort.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Scottsville Road
Merge slight left
86.9 mi · 01h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 169.1 miles (272.2 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.9 miles from Franklin and 85.2 miles from Frankfort.
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 30.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.51 one way or $45.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Frankfort, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Frankfort.
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 Franklin and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 138.45 mi (222.82 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: Elk Alley (-84.873307, 38.200921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.51 | $45.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.39 | $50.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.78 | $55.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.66 | $63.33 |
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.