How far is Nicholasville, KY from Columbia, KY?

The driving distance from Nicholasville, KY to Columbia, KY is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 67.1 miles (108 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
84.8 mi
01h 41m
Flight
67.11 mi
108.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nicholasville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
67.11 mi
Kilometers
108.01 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
84.8 mi
Kilometers
136.47 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 01h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sun, May 31, 6:49 AM CDT
Return by in Nicholasville
Sun, May 31, 9:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nicholasville
2026-05-31T06:08
Arrive Columbia
Sun, May 31, 7:49 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:42 AM to 10:42 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Nicholasville
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Liberty
KY

City in Kentucky, United States

From Nicholasville
42.4 mi
00h 50m
To Columbia
42.4 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph NE
Destination
82°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Nicholasville and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Nicholasville Bypass

    6 mi · 7 min · Nicholasville Bypass

  3. 3

    Continue on Lexington Road

    6.4 mi · 7 min · Lexington Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Chenault Bridge Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Chenault Bridge Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Lexington Road

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Lexington Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lexington Road

  7. 7

    Continue on East Lexington Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · East Lexington Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Wilderness Road

    1377 ft · 27 sec · Wilderness Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2160 ft · 48 sec · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Hustonville Road

    47.2 mi · 54 min · Hustonville Road

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Cumberland Parkway West

    2114 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway

    12.9 mi · 14 min · Cumberland Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 55: Columbia

    1495 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on KY 55: Columbia

    35 m · 2 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Jamestown Street

    745 ft · 14 sec · Jamestown Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Jamestown Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Jamestown Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout toward Public Square

    75 m · 4 sec · Public Square

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Public Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nicholasville and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hustonville Road
47.2 mi · 56%
Cumberland Parkway
12.9 mi · 15%
Lexington Road
10.7 mi · 13%
Nicholasville Bypass
6.02 mi · 7%
North Main Street
2.18 mi · 3%
Chenault Bridge Road
1.42 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Hustonville Road

Continue on Hustonville Road

47.2 mi · 00h 54m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.7 mi
67.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Liberty
00h 50m from Nicholasville
Leave By
3:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Nicholasville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Nicholasville to Columbia?

The road trip is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Liberty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.4 miles from Nicholasville and 42.4 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 67.1 miles (108 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 3:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.28 one way or $22.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Nicholasville and Columbia, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Nicholasville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nicholasville and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 67.11 mi (108.01 km).

Nicholasville

#1 Nicholasville

City in Kentucky

Population30,888
Coordinates37.8806300, -84.5730000
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

City in Adair County, Kentucky, United States

Population4,902
Coordinates37.1028400, -85.3063500
Altitude228
CountryUnited States
Start: Nicholasville (-84.573, 37.88063)
End: Columbia (-85.30635, 37.10284)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 136 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.99 gal
11.33 L · about $11.28
Round trip
$22.55
5.98 gal · 22.66 L
Estimated CO2
26.6 kg one way
Round trip: 53.1 kg / 117 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.28 $22.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.72 $25.43
Premium $4.65 $13.92 $27.83
Diesel $5.30 $15.86 $31.72

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 31, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Nicholasville, KY and Columbia, KY. The current time in Nicholasville is 06:08:24, although it is 05:08:24 in Columbia.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.