Origin
Nicholasville, KY
Evening in Nicholasville on Sunday
Local time
5:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nicholasville, KY to Franklin, KY
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
173.6 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nicholasville, KY
Kelly
Franklin, KY
Engin Akyurt
Trip Overview
The drive from Nicholasville, KY to Franklin, KY covers 173.6 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, Bluegrass Parkway, Keene Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.8 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.37 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
86.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 173.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and Bluegrass Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.8 miles on I 65.
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 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Bluegrass Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KY 169 / West Oak Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KY 169 / West Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (KY 169 / North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (KY 33 / Troy Pike): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KY 169 / West Oak Street
Turn left onto KY 169 / West Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KY 169 / North 3rd Street
At end of road, turn right onto KY 169 / North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
13.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
KY 33 / Troy Pike
At end of road, turn right onto KY 33 / Troy Pike
Navigation decision point
5
83.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
170.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward KY 100: Scottsville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 100: Scottsville, Franklin
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 86.8 mi | 1h 32m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 67.6 mi | 1h 12m |
| Keene Road | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Pinckard Pike | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Keene-Versailles Road | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Scottsville Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| East Cedar Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Troy Pike | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 86.8 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholasville, KY and Franklin, KY.
1
Start on US 27 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto KY 169
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
West Oak Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 169
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3rd Street
4
Continue on KY 169
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Keene Road
5
Continue on KY 169; KY 1267
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Keene Road
6
Turn left onto KY 169
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Pinchard Pike
7
Continue on KY 169
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Keene-Versailles Road
8
Continue on KY 169
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Pinckard Pike
9
At end of road, turn right onto KY 33
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Troy Pike
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
11
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto I 65
87 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward KY 100: Scottsville, Franklin
15
Turn right onto KY 100
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Scottsville Road
16
Turn right onto KY 73
255 ft
·
9 sec
·
Rapids Road
17
Turn left onto KY 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Scottsville Road
18
Continue on KY 73
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Cedar Street
19
Turn right onto North Water Street
99 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Water Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Water 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 86.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville, KY
This is one driving day of about 173.6 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nicholasville, 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 I 65 for about 86.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.8 mi from Nicholasville, KY · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.8 miles.
Arriving in Franklin, KY
The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.37 one way
$52.74 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.07 | $58.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.77 | $65.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.57 | $77.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.23 | $8.33 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.19 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.30 | $11.11 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Franklin, KY
Afternoon in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
3h 15m 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 Nicholasville, KY to Franklin, KY covers 173.6 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, Bluegrass Parkway, Keene 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 86.8 miles from Nicholasville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.37 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 straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KY 169 / West Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (KY 169 / North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (KY 33 / Troy Pike): Navigation decision point.
The route from Nicholasville, KY to Franklin, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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