How far is Nicholasville, KY from Horse Cave, KY?
The driving distance from Nicholasville, KY to Horse Cave, KY is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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 18m.
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 Nicholasville and Horse Cave.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville and Horse Cave.
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1
Start on North Main Street
641 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn left onto West Oak Street
932 ft · 20 sec · West Oak Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North 3rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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4
Continue on Keene Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Keene Road
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5
Continue on Keene Road
860 ft · 20 sec · Keene Road
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6
Turn left onto Pinchard Pike
1974 ft · 40 sec · Pinchard Pike
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7
Continue on Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · Keene-Versailles Road
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8
Continue on Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi · 6 min · Pinckard Pike
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Troy Pike
1.3 mi · 2 min · Troy Pike
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10
Take the ramp slight left
1839 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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12
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
35 mi · 37 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward KY 218: Horse Cave
1652 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto Flint Ridge Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Flint Ridge Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nicholasville 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
Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi · 01h 13m
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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville to Horse Cave?
The road trip is about 121.2 miles (195.1 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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 60.6 miles from Nicholasville and 60.6 miles from Horse Cave.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.7 miles (141.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 1:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.14 one way or $32.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville and Horse Cave. Straight-line distance: 87.69 mi (141.12 km).
#1 Nicholasville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 30,888 |
| Coordinates | 37.8806300, -84.5730000 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| 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: 195 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.14 | $32.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.20 | $36.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.92 | $39.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.70 | $45.40 |
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.