How far is Horse Cave, KY from Richmond, KY?
The driving distance from Horse Cave, KY to Richmond, KY is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 39m 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 19m.
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 Nelson County, Kentucky, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horse Cave and Richmond.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horse Cave and Richmond.
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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
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 West: Frankfort
571 ft · 16 sec
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7
Turn right onto Lexington Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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8
Continue on Versailles Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
1920 ft · 47 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · New Circle Road
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Alumni Drive
1175 ft · 29 sec
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12
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
3104 ft · 1 min · Alumni Drive
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13
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Man O War Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto Richmond Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Richmond Road
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15
Continue on Athens Boonesboro Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Athens Boonesboro Road
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Knoxville
2459 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
13.3 mi · 14 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 25 North, US 421 North
1770 ft · 43 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Lexington Road
46 m · 8 sec · Lexington Road
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20
Continue on Lexington Road
2773 ft · 1 min · Lexington Road
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21
Continue on Lexington Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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22
Continue on West Main Street
2460 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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23
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
32 m · 2 sec · North 2nd Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Horse Cave and Richmond.
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
70.7 mi · 01h 16m
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 Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Horse Cave to Richmond?
The road trip is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?
Bloomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.7 miles from Horse Cave and 73.9 miles from Richmond.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 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 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.50 one way or $38.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 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 Richmond, 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 Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Richmond.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomfield
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 Bloomfield.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Horse Cave and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 96.75 mi (155.7 km).
#1 Horse Cave
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 37.1795000, -85.9069200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Richmond
City in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 36,800 |
| Coordinates | 37.7478600, -84.2946500 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 2nd Street (-84.294897, 37.747963)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.50 | $38.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.99 | $43.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.42 | $54.84 |
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.