This 82.4-mile journey from Olive Hill, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY takes approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing I 64 and KY 2, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it a straightforward drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's an economical option for exploring more of Kentucky's Southeast region. The drive is best suited for those looking for an efficient and direct connection between these two points within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Olive Hill, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 82.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roads like I 64 and Winchester Road. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 74.2 miles on I 64, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of KY 2 provides a brief change of scenery before rejoining the faster highway. This drive's character is one of efficiency and directness, with minimal deviations from major thoroughfares.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 74.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and KY 2. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Railroad Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.4 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: near the start (Railroad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Scott Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 60): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Railroad Street
Turn right onto Railroad Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Scott Street
Turn left onto Scott Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Navigation decision point
7
78 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 81
Toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
8
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 110
Toward US 60: Lexington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Olive Hill, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
78 mi in|~1h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
74.2 mi
1h 19m
KY 2
3 mi
5m
Winchester Road
1.7 mi
2m
East New Circle Road
0.5 mi
1m
US 60
0.4 mi
<1m
I 75
0.3 mi
<1m
Floyd Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Scott Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 74.2 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Hill, KY and Lexington-Fayette, KY.
1
Start on KY 986
97 ft·3 sec·Cross Street
2
Turn right onto Railroad Street
221 ft·9 sec·Railroad Street
3
Turn left onto Scott Street
372 ft·14 sec·Scott Street
4
Turn left onto US 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 60
5
Turn right onto KY 2
3.0 mi·5 min·KY 2
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 64
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 81Toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
9
Merge onto I 75
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 75
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 110Toward US 60: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Winchester Road
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
13
Merge onto KY 4
0.5 mi·1 min·East New Circle Road
14
Turn left onto Floyd Drive
0.2 mi·30 sec·Floyd Drive
15
Turn left
0.1 mi·41 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 34-minute duration for this 82.4-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility in your departure time. It's an ideal route to tackle without needing to split it, and with only an estimated $13 fuel cost, budget is unlikely to be a major concern. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Lexington-Fayette. Since the longest stretch is 74.2 miles on I 64, plan for a brief stop before that segment if you prefer to break up the driving.
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 41.2 miles from Olive Hill, KY, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.2 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 47m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington-Fayette, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Olive Hill, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olive Hill, KY
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Olive Hill, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 74.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.2 mi from Olive Hill, KY
· 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Olive Hill, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.2 miles.
Arriving in Lexington-Fayette, KY
The final approach into Lexington-Fayette, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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
The Hall on Main Coffee & Cafe
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Winchester, Kentucky
Later in the drive, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 64.8
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18593105185
Charlie Brown's Restaurant
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Lexington, Kentucky
2.2 mi
Top Coffee Stop
Third Street Stuff
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Lexington, Kentucky
Near the end, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 82.4
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.14
$28.29
premium
$4.89
$15.86
$31.71
diesel
$5.61
$18.19
$36.39
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: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.65
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.21
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.54
$5.27
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Olive Hill, KY
Late night
in Olive Hill on Saturday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Late night
in Lexington-Fayette on Saturday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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 34m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Olive Hill, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY covers 82.4 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, KY 2, Winchester 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 41.2 miles from Olive Hill, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.88 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 82.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Railroad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Scott Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 60): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Olive Hill, KY to Lexington-Fayette, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
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.
