Origin
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Afternoon in Lexington-Fayette on Wednesday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Cynthiana, KY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
43m
Distance
27.6 mi
44 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Cynthiana, KY
hartono subagio
Trip Overview
This short, 27.6-mile drive from Lexington-Fayette to Cynthiana, Kentucky, is easily manageable in about 43 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. With a modest fuel cost of around $4, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. You'll primarily be on local roads, including Russell Cave Road, Leesburg Pike, and Paris Pike, with no highway driving involved. This route stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey through the Kentucky landscape. Given its brevity, it's perfect for a spontaneous outing or as part of a larger exploration of the area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
13.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. The roads are local and winding, so plan for a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.9 miles on Russell Cave Road. You'll be navigating a series of local roads, so keep your attention focused as you transition between Russell Cave Road, Leesburg Pike, and Paris Pike. This isn't a high-speed cruise; it's a more intimate connection with the terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Russell Cave Road is the longest continuous segment at about 19.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Floyd Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (Floyd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (KY 353 / Russell Cave Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles (US 27 Business / Paris Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Floyd Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive
Navigation decision point
6
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
KY 353 / Russell Cave Road
Turn right onto KY 353 / Russell Cave Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
25.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 27 Business / Paris Pike
Enter roundabout onto US 27 Business / Paris Pike toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
5
25.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 27 Business / Paris Pike
Right onto US 27 Business / Paris Pike toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
5
27.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
KY 982 / South Church Street
Turn left onto KY 982 / South Church Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Cave Road | 19.9 mi | 29m |
| Leesburg Pike | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Paris Pike | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East New Circle Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Bridge Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Floyd Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| John Hunt Morgan Bridge | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Russell Cave Road
— 19.9 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Cynthiana, KY.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Floyd Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Floyd Drive
3
Turn left onto KY 4
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East New Circle Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto KY 353
20 mi
·
29 min
·
Russell Cave Road
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 62
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Leesburg Pike
6
Enter roundabout onto US 27 Business
152 ft
·
6 sec
·
Paris Pike
Toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
7
Continue on US 27 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Paris Pike
Toward US 27 Business North: Cynthiana
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on KY 32; US27 Business
355 ft
·
12 sec
·
John Hunt Morgan Bridge
9
Turn right onto West Bridge Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Bridge Street
10
Turn left onto KY 982
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Church Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Church Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of only 43 minutes, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave anytime and easily make it a round trip within a few hours. The fuel cost is minimal at an estimated $4, so you won't need to worry much about refueling stops. Plan for potential turns as you transition between Russell Cave Road, Leesburg Pike, and Paris Pike. Since it's a short drive with no highway segments, consider packing a small snack to enjoy at your destination rather than stopping midway.
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 13.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 27.6 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.8 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cynthiana, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Lexington-Fayette, KY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lexington-Fayette, KY
This is one driving day of about 27.6 miles and 43m.
At 27.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Russell Cave Road for about 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.8 mi from Lexington-Fayette, KY · 22m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in Cynthiana, KY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cynthiana, KY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.31 one way
$8.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.31 | $10.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.09 | $12.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Cynthiana, KY
Afternoon in Cynthiana on Wednesday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
43m 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY to Cynthiana, KY covers 27.6 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Russell Cave Road, Leesburg Pike, Paris Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.31 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 27.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (Floyd Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (KY 353 / Russell Cave Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles (US 27 Business / Paris Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Cynthiana, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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