How far is Russellville, KY from Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The driving distance from Russellville, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 56m.
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 Hardin County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Russellville and Lexington-Fayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russellville and Lexington-Fayette.
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1
Start on East 4th Street
3170 ft · 54 sec · East 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
114 m · 6 sec · Franklin Street
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3
Continue on Franklin Road
1133 ft · 19 sec · Franklin Road
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4
Continue on Franklin Street
765 ft · 13 sec · Franklin Street
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5
Continue on Bowling Green Road
2964 ft · 52 sec · Bowling Green Road
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6
Continue on East Jefferson Davis Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · East Jefferson Davis Highway
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7
Continue on Bowling Green Road
11.8 mi · 13 min · Bowling Green Road
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8
Continue on Russellville Road
8 mi · 9 min · Russellville Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 165 South
1676 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Louisville
1997 ft · 59 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Louisville
1.1 km · 54 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Interstate Highway 65
71.9 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Interstate Highway 65
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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15
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 West: Frankfort
571 ft · 16 sec
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17
Turn right onto Lexington Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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18
Continue on Versailles Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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19
Take the exit straight toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
2735 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
7.1 mi · 11 min · New Circle Road
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21
Turn right onto Floyd Drive
937 ft · 27 sec · Floyd Drive
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22
Turn left
560 ft · 41 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Russellville and Lexington-Fayette.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Interstate Highway 65
Merge slight left onto Interstate Highway 65
71.9 mi · 01h 17m
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 Russellville and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington-Fayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Russellville to Lexington-Fayette?
The road trip is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Sonora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Russellville and 94.3 miles from Lexington-Fayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.1 miles (252.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.04 one way or $50.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Russellville and Lexington-Fayette, 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 Russellville and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington-Fayette.
Stop Ideas Near Sonora
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 Sonora.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Russellville and Lexington-Fayette. Straight-line distance: 157.07 mi (252.78 km).
#1 Russellville
City in Kentucky, USA
| Population | 7,167 |
| Coordinates | 36.8453200, -86.8872200 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lexington-Fayette
The most populous city in Kentucky and the center of the Lexington-Fayette metropolitan area.
| Population | 314,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.0498000, -84.4585500 |
| Altitude | 305 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-84.458548, 38.049815)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.04 | $50.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.90 | $61.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.22 | $70.44 |
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.