This 77.3-mile drive from Lexington, KY to Newburg, KY is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you'll primarily navigate on I-64, with portions of South Hurstbourne Parkway and Frankfort Road also part of the route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $12, making it an economical option for a short excursion. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a quick getaway or an efficient commute between these two Southeast region locations within Kentucky. You won't need to worry about overnight stays with this compact itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 77.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 77.3-mile journey, with 64% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.3 miles on I-64, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the route incorporates segments of South Hurstbourne Parkway and Frankfort Road, which may introduce slight changes in speed and scenery as you transition between these road types. This drive offers a predictable and generally fast-paced transit between your starting and ending points.
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.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and South Hurstbourne Parkway. 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 KY 4 / New Circle Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge onto KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
69 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersontown, Middletown
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 15
Toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersont...
7
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|KY 864 / Poplar Level Road
Turn right onto KY 864 / Poplar Level Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lexington, KY and Newburg, KY, road signs point toward Jeffersontown and Middletown.
Jeffersontown
69 mi in|~1h 21m
Middletown
69 mi in|~1h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
42.3 mi
45m
South Hurstbourne Parkway
6.9 mi
12m
Frankfort Road
6 mi
6m
New Circle Road
5.8 mi
7m
Versailles Road
5.5 mi
7m
Lexington Road
3.6 mi
4m
Frankfort Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Versailles Bypass
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 42.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Newburg, KY.
1
Start on Coldstream Drive
261 ft·11 sec·Coldstream Drive
2
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Gainesway Drive
3
Turn right onto KY 1974
0.3 mi·35 sec·Tates Creek Road
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward KY 4 West: New Circle Road
5
Merge onto KY 4
5.8 mi·7 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the right lane.
7
Continue on US 60
4.7 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 60
3.6 mi·4 min·Lexington Road
9
Turn slight right onto US 60
1.6 mi·1 min·Versailles Bypass
10
Continue on US 60; US 62
6.0 mi·6 min·Frankfort Road
11
Continue on US 60
1.8 mi·2 min·Frankfort Highway
12
Continue on US 60
0.8 mi·1 min·Versailles Road
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
14
Merge onto I 64
42 mi·45 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 15Toward KY 1747: Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersontown, MiddletownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
174 ft·5 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto KY 1747
6.9 mi·12 min·South Hurstbourne Parkway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on KY 864; KY 1747
0.4 mi·38 sec·Fern Valley Road
19
Turn right onto KY 864
0.8 mi·1 min·Poplar Level Road
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Poplar Level Road
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 36 minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can depart Lexington, KY at your leisure, as there are no pressing needs to break up the 77.3 miles. With the longest stretch on I-64 being 42.3 miles, plan for a single fuel stop if your tank is low, though the estimated $12 fuel cost suggests it's likely not a major concern. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition onto South Hurstbourne Parkway and Frankfort Road, as these will be your primary indicators of approaching Newburg, KY.
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 38.7 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 48m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newburg, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lexington, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lexington, KY
This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lexington, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.7 mi from Lexington, KY
· 48m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 2.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.08 one way
$24.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.27
$26.54
premium
$4.89
$14.88
$29.75
diesel
$5.61
$17.07
$34.13
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 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
23.2
0
$8.12
$3.71
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
EV Truck/SUV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.95
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 15, 2026
Origin
Lexington, KY
Late night
in Lexington on Saturday
Local time
12:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newburg, KY
Late night
in Newburg on Saturday
Local time
12:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
30 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
1h 36m 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, KY to Newburg, KY covers 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, South Hurstbourne Parkway, Frankfort 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 38.7 miles from Lexington, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.08 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 77.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lexington, KY and Newburg, KY, road signs point toward Jeffersontown and Middletown.
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.
