How far is Morehead, KY from Nicholasville, KY?
The driving distance from Morehead, KY to Nicholasville, KY is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.6 miles (239.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m 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 51m.
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.
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Morehead and Nicholasville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morehead and Nicholasville.
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1
Start on St-1122
2638 ft · 2 min · St-1122
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2
Turn right onto St-1131
118 m · 19 sec · St-1131
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3
Turn right onto St-1047
1.3 km · 3 min · St-1047
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4
Turn left onto St-1065
1.4 km · 3 min · St-1065
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5
Keep slight left to continue on St-1065
146 m · 26 sec · St-1065
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6
Turn left onto St-1067
51 m · 14 sec · St-1067
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7
Turn left
1512 ft · 30 sec
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1748 ft · 43 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
84.3 mi · 1 hr 30 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
1955 ft · 48 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
3052 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward KY 33: Versailles
1752 ft · 43 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Troy Pike
1.1 mi · 2 min · Troy Pike
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17
Turn left onto Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi · 6 min · Pinckard Pike
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18
Continue on Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Keene-Versailles Road
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19
Continue on Pinchard Pike
1974 ft · 41 sec · Pinchard Pike
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20
Turn right onto Keene Road
860 ft · 21 sec · Keene Road
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21
Continue on Keene Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Keene Road
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22
Continue on North 3rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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23
Turn left onto West Oak Street
932 ft · 23 sec · West Oak Street
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24
Turn right onto North Main Street
641 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Morehead and Nicholasville.
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
84.3 mi · 01h 30m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Morehead and Mostly Sunny near Nicholasville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Morehead to Nicholasville?
The road trip is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Morehead and 86.4 miles from Nicholasville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.6 miles (239.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Morehead and Nicholasville, 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 Morehead and Mostly Sunny near Nicholasville.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Morehead and Nicholasville. Straight-line distance: 148.64 mi (239.22 km).
#1 Morehead
County seat in Kentucky
| Population | 7,622 |
| Coordinates | 37.2711500, -87.1763800 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nicholasville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 30,888 |
| Coordinates | 37.8806300, -84.5730000 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Main Street (-84.572926, 37.88061)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.90 | $51.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.34 | $56.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.