How far is Lexington, KY from Cave City, KY?
The driving distance from Lexington, KY to Cave City, KY is about 128.1 miles (206.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 26m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Cave City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Cave City.
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1
Start on Coldstream Drive
80 m · 12 sec · Coldstream Drive
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2
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive
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3
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
1507 ft · 35 sec · Tates Creek Road
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4
Turn left onto KY 4 West: New Circle Road
2026 ft · 49 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
5.8 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Versailles
1568 ft · 38 sec
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7
Continue on Versailles Road
4.7 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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8
Continue on Lexington Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Elizabethtown
1.1 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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11
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
40.2 mi · 43 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 70, KY 90: Cave City, Glasgow
2073 ft · 56 sec
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14
Turn left onto Mammoth Cave Road
1292 ft · 32 sec · Mammoth Cave Road
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15
Turn left onto Mammoth Cave Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Mammoth Cave Street
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16
Continue on Broadway Street
1142 ft · 23 sec · Broadway Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington and Cave City.
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
70.6 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.
Sunny leaving Lexington and Sunny near Cave City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lexington to Cave City?
The road trip is about 128.1 miles (206.2 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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 64.1 miles from Lexington and 64.1 miles from Cave City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.2 miles (161.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.04 one way or $34.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lexington and Cave City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lexington and Sunny near Cave City.
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 Lexington and Cave City. Straight-line distance: 100.14 mi (161.16 km).
#1 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cave City
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,426 |
| Coordinates | 37.1367200, -85.9569200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cave City (-85.95692, 37.13672)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.04 | $34.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.22 | $38.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.04 | $42.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.97 | $47.95 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.