How far is Nicholasville, KY from Harlan, KY?
The driving distance from Nicholasville, KY to Harlan, KY is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.3 miles (159.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 02h 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.
City in Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nicholasville and Harlan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville and Harlan.
-
1
Start on North Main Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto Nicholasville Bypass
6 mi · 7 min · Nicholasville Bypass
-
3
Continue on Lexington Road
13.4 mi · 15 min · Lexington Road
-
4
Turn slight right onto Lexington Road
1692 ft · 22 sec · Lexington Road
-
5
Continue on Stanford Street
7 mi · 8 min · Stanford Street
-
6
Turn left
23.5 mi · 28 min
-
7
Continue on South Daniel Boone Trail
2 mi · 3 min · South Daniel Boone Trail
-
8
Take the ramp slight right
1159 ft · 28 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
29.6 mi · 32 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
1752 ft · 38 sec
-
11
Turn left onto Corbin Bypass
2 mi · 3 min · Corbin Bypass
-
12
Continue on Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi · 37 min · Cumberland Gap Parkway
-
13
Continue on Bob Madon Bypass
1.8 mi · 3 min · Bob Madon Bypass
-
14
Turn left onto Harlan Road
15.9 mi · 18 min · Harlan Road
-
15
Continue on Pineville Road
13.1 mi · 15 min · Pineville Road
-
16
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
17
Turn left
118 m · 10 sec
-
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Main Street
5 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
-
19
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
91 m · 13 sec · South Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto Railroad Street
127 m · 18 sec · Railroad Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nicholasville and Harlan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Cumberland Gap Parkway
Continue on Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi · 00h 37m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Nicholasville and Rain Showers near Harlan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nicholasville to Harlan?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Nicholasville and 74.8 miles from Harlan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.3 miles (159.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Nicholasville and Rain Showers near Harlan.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nicholasville and Harlan. Straight-line distance: 99.3 mi (159.8 km).
#1 Nicholasville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 30,888 |
| Coordinates | 37.8806300, -84.5730000 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Harlan
City in Harlan County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 1,471 |
| Coordinates | 36.8431400, -83.3218500 |
| Altitude | 363 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harlan (-83.32185, 36.84314)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.87 | $39.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.53 | $49.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.