Origin
Russell Springs, KY
Night in Russell Springs on Friday
Local time
10:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
83 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 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell Springs, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
The drive from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY covers 83 miles and takes about 1h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Steve Wariner Drive, Steve Warriner Drive, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.98 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
41.5 miles from Russell Springs, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 83 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 42m drive with frequent turns across 83 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Steve Wariner Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Wariner Drive | — | — |
| Steve Warriner Drive | — | — |
| West Main Street | — | — |
| Wilderness Road | — | — |
| East Lexington Avenue | — | — |
| Lexington Road | — | — |
| Chenault Bridge Road | — | — |
| Danville Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Steve Wariner Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russell Springs, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Steve Wariner Drive
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Steve Wariner Drive
3
Continue on Steve Warriner Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Steve Warriner Drive
4
Turn left
47 mi
·
54 min
5
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Main Street
6
Turn left onto Wilderness Road
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Wilderness Road
7
Continue on East Lexington Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lexington Avenue
8
Continue on Lexington Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lexington Road
9
Continue on Lexington Road
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Lexington Road
10
Continue on Chenault Bridge Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Chenault Bridge Road
11
Turn left onto Lexington Road
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lexington Road
12
Continue on Danville Road
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Danville Road
13
Turn right onto South Main Street
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto Lexington Road
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Lexington Road
15
Continue on Nicholasville Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Nicholasville Road
16
Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
KY 4 East: New Circle Road
17
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
New Circle Road
18
Take the exit slight right toward KY 1974: Lexington
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
KY 1974: Lexington
19
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Tates Creek Road
20
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Gainesway Drive
21
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
262 ft
·
9 sec
·
Coldstream Drive
22
Arrive at your destination
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 41.5 miles from Russell Springs, KY, or about 51m into the drive.
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 41.5 miles or 51m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russell Springs, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Russell Springs, KY
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Russell Springs, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.5 mi from Russell Springs, KY · 51m into the drive
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 41.5 miles from Russell Springs, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lexington, KY
The final approach into Lexington, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.98 one way
$25.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.25 | $28.49 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.97 | $31.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.33 | $36.65 |
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 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 | 24.9 | 0 | $8.71 | $3.98 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.26 | $3.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
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
Lexington, KY
Night in Lexington on Friday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Danville, 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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 42m 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 Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY covers 83 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Steve Wariner Drive, Steve Warriner Drive, West Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.5 miles from Russell Springs, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.98 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.
The drive from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Russell Springs, KY to Lexington, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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