How far is Lexington, KY from Horse Cave, KY?
The driving distance from Lexington, KY to Horse Cave, KY is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.2 miles (154.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Horse Cave.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Horse Cave.
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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
35 mi · 37 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 218: Horse Cave
1652 ft · 46 sec
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14
Turn left onto Flint Ridge Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Flint Ridge Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington and Horse Cave.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lexington and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Horse Cave.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lexington to Horse Cave?
The road trip is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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 61.9 miles from Lexington and 62 miles from Horse Cave.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.2 miles (154.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 1:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lexington and Horse Cave, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lexington and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Horse Cave.
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 Horse Cave. Straight-line distance: 96.17 mi (154.77 km).
#1 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Horse Cave
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 37.1795000, -85.9069200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Horse Cave (-85.90692, 37.1795)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.48 | $32.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.59 | $37.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
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.