The drive from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Audubon Park, KY covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 33m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Henry Watterson Expressway, East New Circle Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.1 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.13 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
38.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 33m highway drive covering 77.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.1 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 27; US 68 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.7 miles (US 27; US 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|US 27; US 68 / North Broadway
Turn right onto US 27; US 68 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
7
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
7
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward KY 864: Poplar Level Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward KY 864: Poplar Level Road
9
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Louisville Zoo, Louisville Mega Cavern
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Louisville Zoo, Louisville Mega Cavern
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY to Audubon Park, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
7.4 mi in|~11m|via I 64
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
66.1 mi
1h 11m
Henry Watterson Expressway
4.9 mi
6m
East New Circle Road
1.4 mi
2m
North Broadway
1.2 mi
2m
Poplar Level Road
1.1 mi
2m
Nightingale Road
0.5 mi
1m
Floyd Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Cardinal Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 66.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Audubon Park, 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
1.4 mi·2 min·East New Circle Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.2 mi·2 min·North Broadway
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 64 West: Cincinnati, Louisville
6
Merge onto I 64; I 75
4.1 mi·4 min·I 64; I 75
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: Frankfort, LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 12Toward I 264 East: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
10
Merge onto I 264
4.9 mi·6 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 14Toward KY 864: Poplar Level RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
366 ft·5 sec
Toward Louisville Zoo, Louisville Mega CavernUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Poplar Level Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Poplar Level Road
14
Turn left onto Audubon Parkway
120 ft·5 sec·Audubon Parkway
15
Turn slight left onto Nightingale Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Nightingale Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Cardinal Drive
0.2 mi·37 sec·Cardinal Drive
17
Turn right onto Dove Road
0.1 mi·34 sec·Dove Road
18
Arrive at destination
Dove 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 38.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.1 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 45m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Audubon Park, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lexington-Fayette, KY
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 66.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.8 mi from Lexington-Fayette, KY
· 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.1 miles.
Arriving in Audubon Park, KY
The final approach into Audubon Park, 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.13 one way
$24.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.32
$26.64
premium
$4.89
$14.93
$29.87
diesel
$5.61
$17.13
$34.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.15
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.79
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.86
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Night
in Lexington-Fayette on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Audubon Park, KY
Night
in Audubon Park on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
1h 33m 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 Audubon Park, KY covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Henry Watterson Expressway, East New Circle 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 38.8 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 $12.13 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 77.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.7 miles (US 27; US 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Audubon Park, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Camp Nelson National Monument.
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.
