Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
72.3 mi
116 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frankfort, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Burlington, KY
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Frankfort, KY to Burlington, KY covers 72.3 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Owenton Road, I 71, Glencoe Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.3 miles on Owenton Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.30 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 72.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
The drive from Frankfort, KY to Burlington, KY covers 72.3 miles and takes about 1h 26m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44.2 miles in near I 71.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (I 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward KY 18: Florence, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto KY 18 / Burlington Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto KY 338 / Jefferson Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owenton Road | 24.3 mi | 27m |
| I 71 | 23.2 mi | 25m |
| Glencoe Road | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Warsaw Road | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Burlington Pike | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Wilkinson Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Mero Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort, KY and Burlington, KY.
Start on Elk Alley
Turn left onto KY 420
Turn right onto US 127; US 421
Take the exit onto US 127
Turn left onto US 127
Continue on US 127
At end of road, turn left onto US 127; KY 22; KY 227
Continue on US 127; KY 227
Continue on US 127; KY 227
Turn right onto US 127
Take the exit
Merge onto I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
Take the exit
Turn left onto KY 18
Continue on KY 18
Continue on KY 18
Turn left onto KY 338
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Frankfort, KY · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Frankfort, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Burlington, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.30 one way
$22.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.91 | $27.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Frankfort on Saturday
Local time
10:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
10:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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