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Trip from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Bellevue, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

85.1 mi

137 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, United States

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bellevue, KY, KY

Bellevue, KY

Mike Fox

Trip Overview

The drive from Lexington-Fayette, KY to Bellevue, KY covers 85.1 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, I 64, East New Circle Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.4 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.30 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

42.5 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 74.4 mi 1h 22m
I 64 4.1 mi 4m
East New Circle Road 1.4 mi 2m
North Broadway 1.2 mi 2m
I 71 0.8 mi 1m
Fairfield Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
US 50 0.5 mi <1m
I 471 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 74.4 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lexington-Fayette, KY and Bellevue, 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 right at fork onto I 75

74 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 75
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 71

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 71
Exit 1B Toward I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit onto US 50

0.5 mi · 45 sec · US 50
Toward US 50 East: Columbia Parkway
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 471 South: Newport Kentucky Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 471

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 471
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 5 Toward Newport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn slight right onto Park Avenue

480 ft · 22 sec · Park Avenue
14

Turn right onto KY 8 Business

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Dave Cowens Drive
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15

Continue on KY 8 Business

0.6 mi · 1 min · Fairfield Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto Washington Avenue

0.1 mi · 38 sec · Washington Avenue
17

Turn left onto Poplar Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Poplar Street
18

Arrive at destination

Poplar Street

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 42.5 miles from Lexington-Fayette, KY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 19 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 42.5 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, 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 85.1 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 75 for about 74.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Boone and Kenton counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Walton, KY

43 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

Cynthiana, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Walton, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.5 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Fort Wright Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Wright, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18593318359

O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Florence, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Twin Peaks

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Park Hills, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

1.3 mi

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

1.9 mi

Fort Wright Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79

Fort Wright, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18593318359

O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 72.9

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18595256622

Visit website

Twin Peaks

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.9

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18598170555

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.1

Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18592616112

Pepper Pod Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.1

Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18594317455

Visit website

Sotto

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15138225154

Visit website

Bouquet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 79

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18594917777

Visit website

Chef Jose Salazar • Mita's Restaurant | Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant & Tapas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $50 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15134216482

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.9

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18593718356

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Urbana Cafe Atlas Building

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15137212233

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

Deeper Roots Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15133812141

Visit website

Cincy cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

+15133833000

American Sign Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 85.1

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15135416366

Visit website

Jacobson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Lexington, Kentucky

+18592882900

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.
7
7.4 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 75

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Cincinnati

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
9
81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | I 71

Keep slight right at fork onto I 71 toward I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1B Toward I 71 North, US 50 East: Columbus
9
83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward Newport, Bellevue

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 5 Toward Newport, Bellevue
7
84 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive

Turn right onto KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.30 one way

$26.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.61 $29.22
premium $4.89 $16.38 $32.75
diesel $5.61 $18.79 $37.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.5 0 $8.94 $4.08
Efficient EV 21.3 0 $7.45 $3.40
EV Truck/SUV 34 0 $11.91 $5.45

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Afternoon in Lexington-Fayette on Saturday

Local time

4:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellevue, KY

Afternoon in Bellevue on Saturday

Local time

4:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°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

1 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 40m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Camp Nelson National Monument

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

85.1 mi in 1h 40m, mostly highway — 74.4 mi of that is on I 75.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 64. 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 Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.1 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 85.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bellevue, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (I 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellevue, KY before heading back.

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.

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