How far is Lexington, KY from Clay, KY?
The driving distance from Lexington, KY to Clay, KY is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186 miles (299.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Clay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Clay.
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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
-
12
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 1 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
1079 ft · 26 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
1286 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Paducah, Elizabethtown
1710 ft · 42 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
97.7 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 North: Henderson
2909 ft · 1 min
-
18
Continue straight
1749 ft · 22 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 10 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward KY 281: Madisonville, Providence
1025 ft · 21 sec
-
21
Turn left onto Island Ford Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Island Ford Road
-
22
Continue on Nebo Road
8.5 mi · 13 min · Nebo Road
-
23
Continue on Main Street
2793 ft · 47 sec · Main Street
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24
Continue on Nebo Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Nebo Road
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25
Turn left
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
26
Continue on North Broadway Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · North Broadway Street
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27
Continue on Main Street
2989 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington and Clay.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
97.7 mi · 01h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lexington and Sunny near Clay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lexington to Clay?
The road trip is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km) and usually takes 04h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clarkson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.7 miles from Lexington and 110 miles from Clay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186 miles (299.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lexington and Clay, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lexington and Sunny near Clay.
Stop Ideas Near Clarkson
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 Clarkson.
Louisville, Kentucky
Madisonville, KY
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lexington and Clay. Straight-line distance: 186.02 mi (299.37 km).
#1 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clay
Human settlement in Webster County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 1,091 |
| Coordinates | 37.4767100, -87.8200200 |
| Altitude | 116 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clay (-87.82002, 37.47671)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 354 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.26 | $58.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.00 | $66.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.12 | $72.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.16 | $82.32 |
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.