Trip from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 47m

Distance

309.3 mi

498 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 35m ★

6 AM

5h 48m

8 AM

6h 14m

10 AM

5h 57m

12 PM

5h 55m

3 PM

5h 59m

5 PM

6h 13m

8 PM

5h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Hickman, KY

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Trip Overview

This 309.3-mile drive from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY will take you approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with about 90% of the journey utilizing I-69, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway. The estimated fuel cost is around $48, and you'll likely only need one planned stop. This route focuses on efficient travel through Kentucky, a state known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It's a straightforward path for getting from point A to point B within the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

154.7 miles from Hickman, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 90% of your travel occurring on major interstates and parkways. The majority of your time will be spent on I-69, where you'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 104 miles. While largely highway, the transition between I-69, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway offers some variation in the driving experience. This isn't a winding country road adventure, but rather an efficient way to cover ground across the state.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 104 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.8 miles in near I 69.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 309.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 67.8 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.7 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

67.8 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | I 69

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Hender...

122.7 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | Western Kentucky Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

222 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

224.3 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown

307.8 mi into trip | ~5h 44m in

Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward KY 1974: Lexington

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Hickman, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Henderson, Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Bardstown.

Henderson

67.8 mi in | ~1h 20m | via I 69

Princeton

84.5 mi in | ~1h 38m | via I 69

Elizabethtown

123.1 mi in | ~2h 20m | via Western Kentucky Parkway

Louisville

222 mi in | ~4h 6m

Bardstown

224.3 mi in | ~4h 10m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 69	104 mi	1h 52m
Western Kentucky Parkway	99.2 mi	1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway	70.7 mi	1h 15m
Moscow Avenue	16 mi	23m
New Circle Road	5.6 mi	7m
Versailles Road	4.4 mi	6m
US 51	2.5 mi	3m
Lexington Road	1.7 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 69 — 104 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hickman, KY and Lexington, KY.

Start on KY 125

57 ft · 3 sec · Troy Avenue

Turn right onto KY 94

16 mi · 23 min · Moscow Avenue

Turn right onto US 51

2.5 mi · 3 min · US 51

Turn left

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto I 69

49 mi · 52 min · I 69

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

17 mi · 17 min · I 69

Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson

Take the exit onto I 69

38 mi · 41 min · I 69

Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway

Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway

Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward US 60 West: Frankfort

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road

Continue on US 60

4.4 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road

Merge onto KY 4

5.6 mi · 7 min · New Circle Road

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Exit 18 Toward KY 1974: Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto KY 1974

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Tates Creek Road

Turn left onto Gainesway Drive

1.0 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive

Turn left onto Coldstream Drive

261 ft · 9 sec · Coldstream Drive

Arrive at destination

Coldstream Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hickman to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Lexington. With a fuel cost estimate of $48, plan your refueling stops accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch without services might be on I-69. Given the drive's length, a single stop for fuel and a break should suffice, but be prepared to stretch your legs. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you feel most rested.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 154.7 miles from Hickman, KY, or about 2h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 154.7 miles or 2h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hickman, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hickman, KY

This is one driving day of about 309.3 miles and 5h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hickman, KY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 104 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.7 mi from Hickman, KY · 2h 54m into the drive

capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nashville, TN

155 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Saline, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nashville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.7 miles from Hickman, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104 miles.

Arriving in Lexington, KY

The final approach into Lexington, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lexington, KY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.36 one way

$96.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$53.09	$106.18
premium	$4.89	$59.52	$119.04
diesel	$5.61	$68.29	$136.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.8	1	$32.48	$14.85
Efficient EV	77.3	0	$27.06	$12.37
EV Truck/SUV	123.7	1	$43.30	$19.80

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Hickman, KY

Late night in Hickman on Wednesday

Local time

5:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lexington, KY

Morning in Lexington on Wednesday

Local time

6:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 47m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY covers 309.3 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 69, Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.7 miles from Hickman, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Hickman, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Henderson, Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Bardstown.

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Trip from Hickman, KY to Lexington, KY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lexington, KY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hickman, KY

Lexington, KY

1 hour later

9 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 47m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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