How far is Harlan, KY from Nicholasville, KY?

The driving distance from Harlan, KY to Nicholasville, KY is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.3 miles (159.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
149.35 mi
02h 55m
Flight
99.3 mi
159.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harlan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.3 mi
Kilometers
159.8 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.35 mi
Kilometers
240.36 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nicholasville
Fri, Apr 17, 7:19 AM EDT
Return by in Harlan
Fri, Apr 17, 10:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harlan
2026-04-17T04:23
Arrive Nicholasville
Fri, Apr 17, 7:19 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harlan
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
London
KY

City in Kentucky, United States

From Harlan
74.7 mi
01h 27m
To Nicholasville
74.7 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph W
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 Harlan and Nicholasville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harlan and Nicholasville.

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Street

    127 m · 20 sec · Railroad Street

  2. 2

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

    90 m · 8 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    50 m · 3 sec

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout

    105 m · 10 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left

    29 mi · 33 min

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right

    34.4 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Lexington

    1811 ft · 24 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    29.5 mi · 32 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25: Mount Vernon, Livingston

    1303 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    54 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Daniel Boone Trail

    2.1 mi · 3 min · South Daniel Boone Trail

  13. 13

    Continue on Crab Orchard Road

    23.5 mi · 27 min · Crab Orchard Road

  14. 14

    Turn right

    26.7 mi · 30 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Harlan and Nicholasville.

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
29.9 mi · 20%
Crab Orchard Road
23.5 mi · 16%
South Main Street
2.36 mi · 2%
South Daniel Boone Trail
2.11 mi · 1%
US 25
0.28 mi
Railroad Street
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn right

34.4 mi · 00h 43m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.1 mi
99.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
London
01h 27m from Harlan
Leave By
12:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Harlan and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Nicholasville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Harlan to Nicholasville?

The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Harlan and 74.7 miles from Nicholasville.

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

The direct path is about 99.3 miles (159.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 12:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harlan and Nicholasville. Straight-line distance: 99.3 mi (159.8 km).

Harlan

#1 Harlan

City in Harlan County, Kentucky, United States

Population1,471
Coordinates36.8431400, -83.3218500
Altitude363
CountryUnited States
Nicholasville

#2 Nicholasville

City in Kentucky

Population30,888
Coordinates37.8806300, -84.5730000
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Start: Harlan (-83.32185, 36.84314)
End: Nicholasville (-84.573, 37.88063)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 240 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.27 gal
19.95 L · about $19.87
Round trip
$39.75
10.54 gal · 39.9 L
Estimated CO2
46.8 kg one way
Round trip: 93.7 kg / 207 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.87 $39.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.41 $44.83
Premium $4.65 $24.53 $49.05
Diesel $5.30 $27.95 $55.90

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 Harlan and Nicholasville. The current time is 04:23:46.

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.