If you are planning a trip from Irvington to Nicholasville, you are looking at a 117.1-mile journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable without requiring an overnight stay. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should cover your travel costs for this trek across Kentucky. You will stay entirely on local roads, as this path avoids highways altogether. It is a straightforward drive, but the lack of high-speed transit means you should account for the full duration when planning your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.6 miles from Irvington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 117.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route maintains a 0% highway share, you will navigate through local roads like 1st Avenue, Woodlawn Street, and Flaherty Road for the entire duration. The experience behind the wheel is centered on navigating local traffic and winding segments rather than maintaining high speeds. Because there are no stretches of major highway, the pace remains steady and technical throughout the 117.1-mile journey. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard interstate highway route.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bluegrass Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 67.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bluegrass Parkway and Joe Prather Highway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KY 79 / 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 117.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (KY 79 / 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles (US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 79 / 1st Avenue
Turn left onto KY 79 / 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
23.3 mi into trip|~27m in|US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard
Turn right onto US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
33.8 mi into trip|~41m 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 / right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
5
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward KY 33: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 68
Toward KY 33: Versailles
5
117 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 27 Business / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 27 Business / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Irvington, KY and Nicholasville, KY, road signs point toward Lexington and Bardstown.
Lexington
33.8 mi in|~41m
Bardstown
33.8 mi in|~41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Bluegrass Parkway
67.6 mi
1h 12m
Joe Prather Highway
10.4 mi
12m
US 60
10.2 mi
11m
Keene Road
5.3 mi
7m
North Dixie Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Pinckard Pike
4.5 mi
6m
Flaherty Road
2.4 mi
2m
Keene-Versailles Road
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 67.6 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irvington, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on Walnut Street
28 ft·6 sec·Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto KY 79
0.2 mi·18 sec·1st Avenue
3
Turn straight onto KY 2202
0.1 mi·15 sec·Woodlawn Street
4
Turn left onto US 60
10 mi·11 min·US 60
5
Turn right onto KY 144
2.4 mi·2 min·Flaherty Road
6
Continue on KY 313
10 mi·12 min·Joe Prather Highway
7
Turn right onto US 31W
0.4 mi·24 sec·South Dixie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Dixie Boulevard
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
1.4 mi·1 min·South Dixie Boulevard
10
Continue on US 31W
476 ft·6 sec·North Dixie Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31W
4.8 mi·6 min·North Dixie Highway
12
Continue on US 31W
1.0 mi·1 min·West Dixie Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 62; KY 61
2.1 mi·3 min·North Mulberry Street
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
15
Merge onto I 65
0.6 mi·38 sec·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·Bluegrass Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 68Toward KY 33: Versailles
19
Turn straight onto KY 33
1.1 mi·2 min·Troy Pike
20
Turn left onto KY 169
4.5 mi·6 min·Pinckard Pike
21
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi·2 min·Keene-Versailles Road
22
Continue on KY 169
0.4 mi·40 sec·Pinchard Pike
23
Turn right onto KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi·21 sec·Keene Road
24
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi·7 min·Keene Road
25
Continue on KY 169
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Street
26
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Oak Street
27
Turn right onto US 27 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep in mind that because the entire route relies on local roads, your travel time can be sensitive to local traffic patterns, so check your navigation app before heading out. With no planned stops in the itinerary, you have the freedom to pull over whenever you need a break, but be aware that you won't have the convenience of standardized highway rest areas. Given the turn-heavy nature of this path, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and your tires are properly inflated before departure. Aim to start your drive during daylight hours to better navigate the local road transitions between Irvington and Nicholasville.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Irvington, KY, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.6 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholasville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Irvington, 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 Irvington, KY
This is one driving day of about 117.1 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Irvington, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Bluegrass Parkway for about 67.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Irvington, KY
· 1h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 117.1
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 40.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.31 one way
$36.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.10
$40.20
premium
$4.89
$22.53
$45.07
diesel
$5.61
$25.85
$51.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.1
0
$12.30
$5.62
Efficient EV
29.3
0
$10.25
$4.68
EV Truck/SUV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Irvington, KY
Late night
in Irvington on Saturday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Late night
in Nicholasville on Saturday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Bloomfield, KY
59 mi in
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
21 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
2h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Irvington, KY to Nicholasville, KY covers 117.1 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bluegrass Parkway, Joe Prather Highway, US 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 miles from Irvington, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (KY 79 / 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles (US 31W / South Dixie Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Irvington, KY and Nicholasville, KY, road signs point toward Lexington and Bardstown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Camp Nelson National Monument and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
