How far is Richmond, KY from Horse Cave, KY?
The driving distance from Richmond, KY to Horse Cave, KY is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m 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 49m.
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 Nelson County, Kentucky, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Horse Cave.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Horse Cave.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
32 m · 6 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
2460 ft · 46 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on Lexington Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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4
Turn left onto Lexington Road
1262 ft · 28 sec · Lexington Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1702 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
13.5 mi · 15 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward KY 418: Lexington, Athens
1213 ft · 30 sec
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8
Keep slight left
110 m · 11 sec
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9
Continue on Athens Boonesboro Road
2.6 mi · 3 min · Athens Boonesboro Road
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10
Continue on Richmond Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Richmond Road
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11
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Man O War Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Alumni Drive
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13
Take the ramp left toward KY 4 West
1698 ft · 44 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
7.5 mi · 10 min · New Circle Road
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Versailles
1568 ft · 38 sec
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16
Continue on Versailles Road
4.7 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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17
Continue on Lexington Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Elizabethtown
1.1 km · 1 min
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19
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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20
Keep slight left
1.4 km · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left
35 mi · 37 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward KY 218: Horse Cave
1652 ft · 46 sec
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23
Turn left onto Flint Ridge Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Flint Ridge Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond 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
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi · 01h 16m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Richmond 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 Richmond to Horse Cave?
The road trip is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Bloomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Richmond and 73.2 miles from Horse Cave.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.7 miles (155.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 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 12:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.46 one way or $38.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Richmond and Horse Cave, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Richmond and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Horse Cave.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomfield
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 Bloomfield.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Horse Cave. Straight-line distance: 96.75 mi (155.7 km).
#1 Richmond
City in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 36,800 |
| Coordinates | 37.7478600, -84.2946500 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| 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: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.46 | $38.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.01 | $48.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.37 | $54.74 |
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.