How far is Horse Cave, KY from Nicholasville, KY?
The driving distance from Horse Cave, KY to Nicholasville, KY is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m 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 17m.
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.
City in Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horse Cave and Nicholasville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horse Cave and Nicholasville.
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1
Start on East Main Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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2
Take the ramp slight right
1696 ft · 42 sec
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3
Merge slight left
35.2 mi · 38 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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5
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward KY 33: Versailles
1752 ft · 43 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Troy Pike
1.1 mi · 2 min · Troy Pike
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8
Turn left onto Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi · 6 min · Pinckard Pike
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9
Continue on Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Keene-Versailles Road
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10
Continue on Pinchard Pike
1974 ft · 41 sec · Pinchard Pike
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11
Turn right onto Keene Road
860 ft · 21 sec · Keene Road
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12
Continue on Keene Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Keene Road
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13
Continue on North 3rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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14
Turn left onto West Oak Street
932 ft · 23 sec · West Oak Street
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15
Turn right onto North Main Street
641 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Horse Cave and Nicholasville.
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
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi · 01h 12m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Horse Cave and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nicholasville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Horse Cave to Nicholasville?
The road trip is about 120.9 miles (194.5 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Bardstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.4 miles from Horse Cave and 60.5 miles from Nicholasville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.2 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 1:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.06 one way or $32.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Horse Cave and Nicholasville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Horse Cave and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Nicholasville.
Stop Ideas Near Bardstown
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 Bardstown.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Horse Cave and Nicholasville. Straight-line distance: 87.69 mi (141.12 km).
#1 Horse Cave
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 37.1795000, -85.9069200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nicholasville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 30,888 |
| Coordinates | 37.8806300, -84.5730000 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nicholasville (-84.573, 37.88063)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.06 | $32.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.12 | $36.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.83 | $39.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.60 | $45.19 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.