Origin
Richmond, KY
Afternoon in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
4:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, KY to Russell Springs, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
83.2 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Russell Springs, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
The drive from Richmond, KY to Russell Springs, KY covers 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Cumberland Parkway, Cumberland Lake Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.7 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.01 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.
Midpoint
41.6 miles from Richmond, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 24.7 mi | 26m |
| Cumberland Parkway | 23.4 mi | 25m |
| Cumberland Lake Parkway | 18 mi | 21m |
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| Eastern Bypass | 1 mi | 1m |
| Lancaster Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Maple Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Richmond Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 24.7 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, KY and Russell Springs, KY.
1
Start on KY 388
104 ft
·
6 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto KY 52
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
4
Turn right onto KY 876
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastern Bypass
5
Continue on KY 876
512 ft
·
17 sec
·
Barnes Mill Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
7
Merge onto I 75
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
9
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft
·
5 sec
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
10
Merge onto US 25
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Richmond Street
11
Turn straight onto KY 461
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Cumberland Lake Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Merge onto KY 80
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto KY 914
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
KY 914
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Bowling Green
15
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Cumberland Parkway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 62
Toward US 127: Russell Springs, Jamestown
17
Turn right onto US 127
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 127
18
Turn left onto KY 619
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto KY 379
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
KY 379
Trip Plan
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 41.6 miles from Richmond, KY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell Springs, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, KY
This is one driving day of about 83.2 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Richmond, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Richmond, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 81.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
27.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
7
27.4 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
6
81.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 127: Russell Springs, Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 127: Russell Springs, Jamestown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.01 one way
$26.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.28 | $28.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.01 | $32.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
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: 29.1 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 | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
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.
Destination
Russell Springs, KY
Afternoon in Russell Springs on Saturday
Local time
3:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Somerset, KY
42 mi in
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
23 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 38m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 63.1
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 2.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
83.2 mi in 1h 38m, mostly highway — 24.7 mi of that is on I 75.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Cumberland Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 (US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond, KY and Russell Springs, KY, road signs point toward Mount Vernon and Bowling Green.
Mount Vernon
27.1 mi in
|
~30m
Bowling Green
57.5 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 83.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Russell Springs, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 25 Business; US 421 Business; KY 52 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Russell Springs, KY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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