The drive from Lakeside Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 71, Nicholasville Road, Lexington Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.9 miles on I 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Lakeside Park, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 47m highway drive covering 89.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and Nicholasville Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.9 miles on I 71.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 70.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Nicholasville Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 89.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles (KY 922 / Newtown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 71 South, I 75 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South
8
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington
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 115
Toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington
6
73 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|KY 922 / Newtown Pike
Turn right onto KY 922 / Newtown Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|South Upper Street
At end of road, turn right onto South Upper Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 27 Business / North Main Street
Turn left onto US 27 Business / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lakeside Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
Lexington
72.8 mi in|~1h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
70.9 mi
1h 16m
Nicholasville Road
4.7 mi
8m
Lexington Road
4.5 mi
5m
Newtown Pike
3.3 mi
4m
North Main Street
1.7 mi
2m
Buttermilk Pike
1.1 mi
2m
Oliver Lewis Way
0.8 mi
1m
South Limestone
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeside Park, KY and Nicholasville, KY.
1
Start on Evergreen Court
84 ft·5 sec·Evergreen Court
2
Turn right onto Locust Avenue
398 ft·17 sec·Locust Avenue
3
Continue on Locust Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·Locust Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 25; US 42; US 127
0.3 mi·49 sec·Dixie Highway
5
Turn left onto KY 371
1.1 mi·2 min·Buttermilk Pike
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 SouthUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 71; I 75
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 115Toward KY 922: Airport, LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto KY 922
3.3 mi·4 min·Newtown Pike
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on KY 922
0.8 mi·1 min·Oliver Lewis Way
11
Continue on Bolivar Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Bolivar Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto South Upper Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·South Upper Street
13
Turn straight onto South Limestone
0.8 mi·1 min·South Limestone
14
Continue on US 27
4.7 mi·8 min·Nicholasville Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 27
4.5 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
16
Turn left onto US 27 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business
Trip Plan
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 44.6 miles from Lakeside Park, KY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 50m 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 25m
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 Lakeside Park, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakeside Park, KY
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Lakeside Park, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Lakeside Park, KY
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 44.6 miles from Lakeside Park, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Nicholasville, KY
The final approach into Nicholasville, 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.
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 89.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.95 one way
$27.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.31
$30.62
premium
$4.89
$17.17
$34.33
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Lakeside Park, KY
Evening
in Lakeside Park on Friday
Local time
8:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholasville, KY
Evening
in Nicholasville on Friday
Local time
8:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Williamstown, KY
45 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 47m 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 Lakeside Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, Nicholasville Road, Lexington Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.6 miles from Lakeside Park, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.95 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 89.2 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles (KY 922 / Newtown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lakeside Park, KY to Nicholasville, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
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.
