Origin
Lexington, KY
Morning in Lexington on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
269.5 mi
434 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mayfield, KY
Wikimedia Commons
This 269.5-mile drive from Lexington to Mayfield, Kentucky, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. It's a highway-focused journey, with 94% of the route utilizing major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-69. You can expect a fuel cost of around $42 for this trip. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive efficiently connects two points within the Southeast region of Kentucky.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.7 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
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Prepare for a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 98.9 miles along the Western Kentucky Parkway, offering a chance to settle in for a good run. You'll primarily navigate on the Western Kentucky Parkway, I-69, and the Bluegrass Parkway. This highway-focused profile suggests a consistent pace, ideal for covering distance efficiently. The character of the drive is largely about smooth, steady travel on well-maintained roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 269.5 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 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lexington, KY and Mayfield, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Elizabethtown
Paducah
Western Kentucky Parkway West
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98.9 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 69 | 80.5 mi | 1h 26m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| New Circle Road | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Versailles Road | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| US 45 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Lexington Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| I 65 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Mayfield, KY.
Start on Coldstream Drive
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
Turn right onto KY 1974
Turn left
Merge onto KY 4
Take the exit
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Take the exit
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge onto I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 45
Turn left onto KY 58; KY 80 Business; KY 121 Business
Arrive at destination
Given that this 4-hour and 58-minute drive is easily achievable in one day, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready. A morning departure is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches like the 98.9-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services might be less frequent. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel should comfortably cover the journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mayfield, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lexington, 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, KY
This is one driving day of about 269.5 miles and 4h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.7 mi from Lexington, KY · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 134.7 miles from Lexington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.9 miles.
The final approach into Mayfield, 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 Mayfield, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$42.13 one way
$84.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.26 | $92.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.86 | $103.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.50 | $119.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.30 | $12.94 |
| Efficient EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.8 | 1 | $37.73 | $17.25 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lexington on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Mayfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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