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Trip from Nevada, KY to Paintsville, KY

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

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

158.3 mi

255 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

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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Downtown Nevada, KY, KY

Nevada, KY

Stephan Müller

city in Kentucky, United States

Paintsville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Nevada, KY to Paintsville, KY covers 158.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m 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, Louisville 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 $24.75 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.2 miles from Nevada, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Mountain Parkway 76.7 mi 1h 22m
I 64 18.2 mi 20m
Louisville Road 12.9 mi 14m
New Paintsville Road 12.1 mi 13m
Bluegrass Parkway 12 mi 12m
New Circle Road 5.7 mi 8m
Perryville Road 5.2 mi 7m
Versailles Road 4.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Mountain Parkway — 76.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nevada, KY and Paintsville, KY.

1

Start on Bugg Road

7 ft · 5 sec · Bugg Road
2

Turn left onto US 68

5.2 mi · 7 min · Perryville Road
3

Continue on US 68

0.7 mi · 1 min · Perryville Street
4

Continue on US 68; KY 152

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Mooreland Avenue
5

Turn left onto US 68; US 127; KY 152

1.9 mi · 2 min · South College Street
6

Continue on US 127

13 mi · 14 min · Louisville Road
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
8

Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway

12 mi · 12 min · Bluegrass Parkway
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
10

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
11

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
13

Merge onto KY 4

5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto US 27; US 68

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
15

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
16

Merge onto I 64; I 75

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 64; I 75
17

Take the exit onto I 64

17 mi · 18 min · I 64
Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Mountain Parkway
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
19

Turn left onto US 460

0.9 mi · 58 sec · Rock House Road
20

Continue on US 460

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Wheeler Branch Road
21

Continue on US 460

12 mi · 13 min · New Paintsville Road
22

Continue on KY 40

2.1 mi · 3 min · KY 40
23

Keep slight left at fork onto KY 40

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 3rd Street
24

Turn right onto Court Street

495 ft · 21 sec · Court Street
25

Arrive at destination

Court Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.2 miles from Nevada, KY, or about 1h 36m 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 35 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.2 miles or 1h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paintsville, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Nevada, 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 Nevada, KY

This is one driving day of about 158.3 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Nevada, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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.

human settlement in Powell County, Kentucky, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clay City, KY

79 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

Versailles, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clay City, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.2 miles from Nevada, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Mountain Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.7 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

123 Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paintsville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16067896988

La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Slade, Kentucky

2.3 mi

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.2 mi

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.2 mi

123 Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158.3

Paintsville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16067896988

La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 101.8

Slade, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16066630330

Visit website

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18592695701

Visit website

The Hall on Main Coffee & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.8

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18593105185

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Woodhouse Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.8

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18599793377

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.2

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

Daniel Boone Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 101.8

Slade, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16066632549

Visit website

Screamin Beans Coffee Shop, LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.5

Stanton, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16064816627

Visit website

Old Fort Harrod State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.3

Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18597343314

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.3 and 65.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
33.3 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Frankfort

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
5
40.2 mi into trip | ~50m 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.
6
46.9 mi into trip | ~1h in

Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
49 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 64

Take the exit onto I 64 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 slight left / straight lanes. Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
6
65.7 mi into trip | ~1h 22m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.75 one way

$49.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.17 $54.35
premium $4.89 $30.46 $60.93
diesel $5.61 $34.95 $69.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.5 0 $16.62 $7.60
Efficient EV 39.6 0 $13.85 $6.33
EV Truck/SUV 63.3 0 $22.16 $10.13

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (65% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Nevada, KY

Afternoon in Nevada on Saturday

Local time

1:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 9 to 15 mph 81% chance Live forecast

Destination

Paintsville, KY

Afternoon in Paintsville on Saturday

Local time

1:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

27 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

3h 4m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 10.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 158.3 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 25 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?

9/10

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 33.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 158.3 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 33.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.2 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Nevada, KY and Paintsville, KY, road signs point toward Ashland, Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.

Ashland

46.9 mi in | ~1h

Mountain Parkway East

65.7 mi in | ~1h 22m | via Mountain Parkway

Prestonsburg

65.7 mi in | ~1h 22m | via Mountain Parkway

Campton

65.7 mi in | ~1h 22m | via Mountain Parkway

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 158.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Nevada, KY to Paintsville, KY covers 158.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Mountain Parkway, I 64, Louisville 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 79.2 miles from Nevada, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 158.3 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 33.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.2 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Nevada, KY and Paintsville, KY, road signs point toward Ashland, Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.

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.

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