How far is Nicholasville, KY from Prestonsburg, KY?

The driving distance from Nicholasville, KY to Prestonsburg, KY is about 126.2 miles (203.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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
126.18 mi
02h 27m
Flight
99.5 mi
160.13 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
99.5 mi
Kilometers
160.13 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.18 mi
Kilometers
203.06 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Prestonsburg
Wed, May 13, 2:26 AM EDT
Return by in Nicholasville
Wed, May 13, 4:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nicholasville
2026-05-12T23:58
Arrive Prestonsburg
Wed, May 13, 2:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:34 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
Stanton
KY

City in Kentucky

From Nicholasville
63 mi
01h 13m
To Prestonsburg
63.1 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph S
Destination
51°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 11:00 PM EDT
Wind
3 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Lexington Road

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Nicholasville Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Nicholasville Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road

    1811 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto New Circle Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · New Circle Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Alumni Drive

    1175 ft · 29 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Alumni Drive

    3104 ft · 1 min · Alumni Drive

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Man O War Boulevard

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Winchester Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Winchester Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Haley Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Haley Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right

    1579 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    9.7 mi · 10 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Mountain Parkway

    81.7 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Mountain Parkway

  14. 14

    Continue on Old Middle Creek Road

    12.4 mi · 15 min · Old Middle Creek Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Lake Drive

    2484 ft · 49 sec · North Lake Drive

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Lake Drive

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Mountain Parkway
81.7 mi · 65%
Old Middle Creek Road
12.4 mi · 10%
Haley Road
11.4 mi · 9%
Man O War Boulevard
4.92 mi · 4%
Lexington Road
4.47 mi · 4%
Winchester Road
3.09 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Mountain Parkway

Keep slight right to continue on Mountain Parkway

81.7 mi · 01h 28m

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
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.7 mi
99.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stanton
01h 13m from Nicholasville
Leave By
1:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Nicholasville and Mostly Clear near Prestonsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126.2 miles (203.1 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Stanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63 miles from Nicholasville and 63.1 miles from Prestonsburg.

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

The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 1:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.78 one way or $33.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nicholasville and Mostly Clear near Prestonsburg.

Stop Ideas Near Stanton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Stanton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stanton.

RAIL

Maysville

90 mi away
West Front St & Rosemary Clooney St

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nicholasville and Prestonsburg. Straight-line distance: 99.5 mi (160.13 km).

Nicholasville

#1 Nicholasville

City in Kentucky

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

#2 Prestonsburg

City and county seat of Floyd County, Kentucky

Population3,460
Coordinates37.6656500, -82.7715500
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Nicholasville (-84.573, 37.88063)
End: Prestonsburg (-82.77155, 37.66565)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.85 L · about $16.78
Round trip
$33.56
8.9 gal · 33.7 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.78 $33.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.93 $37.85
Premium $4.65 $20.71 $41.42
Diesel $5.30 $23.60 $47.21

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Nicholasville and Prestonsburg. The current time is 23:58:26.

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.