How far is Franklin, KY from Richmond, KY?

The driving distance from Franklin, KY to Richmond, KY is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.2 miles (232 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
184.51 mi
02h 58m
Flight
144.17 mi
232.02 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.17 mi
Kilometers
232.02 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.51 mi
Kilometers
296.94 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Richmond
Sat, May 30, 4:43 PM EDT
Return by in Franklin
Sat, May 30, 6:42 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-05-30T12:44
Arrive Richmond
Sat, May 30, 3:43 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:59 AM to 1:59 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
9:30 PM CDT
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
Columbia
KY

City in Adair County, Kentucky, United States

From Franklin
92 mi
01h 29m
To Richmond
92.6 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE
Destination
78°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Richmond.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Richmond.

  1. 1

    Start on North Water Street

    30 m · 10 sec · North Water Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Cedar Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · East Cedar Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Scottsville Road

    3226 ft · 1 min · Scottsville Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Rapids Road

    78 m · 11 sec · Rapids Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Scottsville Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Scottsville Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    1557 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    36.7 mi · 39 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Somerset, Glasgow

    2467 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway

    85.6 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Cumberland Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside

    1523 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2045 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    10.7 mi · 14 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left

    1.1 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Turn straight

    17.6 mi · 20 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Richmond Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Richmond Street

  16. 16

    Take the exit left

    1289 ft · 31 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    24.5 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 876: Richmond, Lancaster

    1736 ft · 43 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    99 m · 10 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Eastern Bypass

    1.5 km · 2 min · Eastern Bypass

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Lancaster Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Lancaster Avenue

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street

    865 ft · 24 sec · West Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    32 m · 2 sec · North 2nd Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Richmond.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi · 46%
Scottsville Road
38.8 mi · 21%
Richmond Street
25.6 mi · 14%
KY 914
1.38 mi · 1%
East Cedar Street
1.36 mi · 1%
Lancaster Avenue
0.99 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Cumberland Parkway

Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway

85.6 mi · 01h 32m

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
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.3 mi
144.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbia
01h 29m from Franklin
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Franklin and Mostly Sunny near Richmond.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Richmond?

The road trip is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Franklin and 92.6 miles from Richmond.

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

The direct path is about 144.2 miles (232 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.3 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.55 one way or $49.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Franklin and Richmond, 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 Richmond.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 144.17 mi (232.02 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

City in and county seat of Simpson County, Kentucky, United States

Population9,046
Coordinates36.7222600, -86.5772200
Altitude216
CountryUnited States
Richmond

#2 Richmond

City in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States

Population36,800
Coordinates37.7478600, -84.2946500
Altitude289
CountryUnited States
Start: North Water Street (-86.576948, 36.722222)
End: North 2nd Street (-84.294897, 37.747963)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 297 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.51 gal
24.65 L · about $24.55
Round trip
$49.10
13.02 gal · 49.3 L
Estimated CO2
57.9 kg one way
Round trip: 115.7 kg / 255 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.55 $49.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.69 $55.37
Premium $4.65 $30.30 $60.60
Diesel $5.30 $34.53 $69.06

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Franklin, KY and Richmond, KY. The current time in Franklin is 12:44:28, although it is 13:44:28 in Richmond.

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.