Origin
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Night in Lexington-Fayette on Thursday
Local time
11:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Van Lear, KY
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
118.5 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Van Lear, KY
Murat IŞIK
Trip Overview
The drive from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Van Lear, KY covers 118.5 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mountain Parkway, I 64, New Paintsville Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.7 miles on Mountain Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.53 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
59.3 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 118.5 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 (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 118.5 miles, with most of the trip on Mountain Parkway and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.7 miles on Mountain Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mountain Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 76.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Mountain Parkway and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 118.5 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Winchester, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13
Toward US 60: Winchester, Lexington
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 East: Winchester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 60 East: Winchester
7
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 75 North: Ashland, Cincinnati, Louisville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ashland, Cincinnati, Louisvi...
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
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 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
6
20 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
Mountain Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Ca...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Van Lear, KY, road signs point toward Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.
Mountain Parkway East
20 mi in
|
~24m
|
via Mountain Parkway
Prestonsburg
20 mi in
|
~24m
|
via Mountain Parkway
Campton
20 mi in
|
~24m
|
via Mountain Parkway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Parkway | 76.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 64 | 15.6 mi | 16m |
| New Paintsville Road | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| US 460 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| KY 302 | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| Winchester Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| KY 1428 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Rock House Road | 0.9 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Mountain Parkway
— 76.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Van Lear, 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
·
26 sec
·
Floyd Drive
3
Turn right onto KY 4
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East New Circle Road
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 13
Toward US 60: Winchester, Lexington
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 60 East: Winchester
6
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Winchester Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 75 North: Ashland, Cincinnati, Louisville
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 75
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 64
16 mi
·
16 min
·
I 64
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Mountain Parkway
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
12
Turn left onto US 460
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
Rock House Road
13
Continue on US 460
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Wheeler Branch Road
14
Continue on US 460
12 mi
·
13 min
·
New Paintsville Road
15
Take the exit onto US 460
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 460
16
Turn left onto KY 1428
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
KY 1428
17
Turn right onto KY 302
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
KY 302
18
Turn slight left onto Miller Creek Road
488 ft
·
21 sec
·
Miller Creek Road
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Possum Hollow Road
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
Possum Hollow Road
20
Arrive at destination
Possum Hollow Road
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 59.3 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.7 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Van Lear, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lexington-Fayette, 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY
This is one driving day of about 118.5 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Mountain Parkway for about 76.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Lexington-Fayette, KY · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Mountain Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.7 miles.
Arriving in Van Lear, KY
The final approach into Van Lear, 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 Van Lear, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.53 one way
$37.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.80 | $45.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 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 | 35.6 | 0 | $12.44 | $5.69 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.59 | $7.58 |
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.
Destination
Van Lear, KY
Night in Van Lear on Thursday
Local time
11:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
West Liberty, 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY to Van Lear, KY covers 118.5 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 Mountain Parkway, I 64, New Paintsville 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 59.3 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 $18.53 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 118.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Van Lear, KY, road signs point toward Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Van Lear, KY
Explore more options from Lexington-Fayette, KY or browse trips ending in Van Lear, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.
Explore maps for Lexington-Fayette, KY or Van Lear, KY on MapSof.net.