How far is Louisville, KY from Frankfort, KY?
The driving distance from Louisville, KY to Frankfort, KY is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m 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 00h 55m.
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.
Human settlement in Shelby County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Louisville and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville and Frankfort.
-
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
1611 ft · 1 min · West Jefferson Street
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2
Turn right onto Roy Wilkins Avenue
535 ft · 11 sec · Roy Wilkins Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 64 West, I 64 East: New Albany, Saint Louis, Lexington
139 m · 11 sec
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 East: Lexington
1063 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight right
49.2 mi · 56 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 127 North: Frankfort
1872 ft · 46 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Lawrenceburg Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lawrenceburg Road
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8
Take the exit slight right
58 m · 5 sec
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9
Turn slight right onto Louisville Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Louisville Road
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10
Continue on West 2nd Street
2405 ft · 50 sec · West 2nd Street
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11
Turn left onto Capital Avenue
1058 ft · 32 sec · Capital Avenue
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street
48 m · 10 sec · East Main Street
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13
Turn right onto High Street
766 ft · 23 sec · High Street
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14
Turn left onto West Clinton Street
75 m · 7 sec · West Clinton Street
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15
Turn right onto Elk Alley
135 m · 19 sec · Elk Alley
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elk Alley
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Louisville and Frankfort.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 64 East
Merge slight right
49.2 mi · 00h 56m
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 leaving Louisville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Louisville to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Simpsonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from Louisville and 28 miles from Frankfort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Louisville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Frankfort.
Stop Ideas Near Simpsonville
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 Simpsonville.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Louisville and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 48.24 mi (77.63 km).
#1 Louisville
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
| Population | 760,026 |
| Coordinates | 38.2542400, -85.7594100 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 27,715 |
| Coordinates | 38.2009100, -84.8732800 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk Alley (-84.873307, 38.200921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.29 | $16.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.08 | $18.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.34 | $20.69 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.