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Trip from Shively, KY to Richmond, KY

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

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

106.1 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 55m ★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m

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 Shively, KY, KY

Shively, KY

Thirdman

city in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States

Richmond, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Shively, KY to Richmond, KY covers 106.1 miles and takes about 2h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, Henry Watterson Expressway, Lexington Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.2 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.75 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.

Midpoint

53 miles from Shively, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 106.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 3m highway drive covering 106.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.2 miles on I 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 89.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Henry Watterson Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Burrell Drive.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 106.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.2 miles (Burrell Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Burrell Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Burrell Drive

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

8
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
7
13 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 64 East: Lexington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19A Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
13.9 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 64

Merge onto I 64

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.1 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward US 25 North, US 421 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 90B Toward US 25 North, US 421 North

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 89.2 mi 1h 36m
Henry Watterson Expressway 10.5 mi 14m
Lexington Road 2.2 mi 3m
Crums Lane 0.8 mi 1m
Shawnee Expressway 0.5 mi <1m
West Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
Dixie Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Burrell Drive 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 89.2 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shively, KY and Richmond, KY.

1

Start on Burrell Drive

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Burrell Drive
2

At end of road, turn left onto Burrell Drive

211 ft · 11 sec · Burrell Drive
3

Turn right onto Schaffner Drive

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Schaffner Drive
4

Turn left onto KY 2049

0.8 mi · 1 min · Crums Lane
5

Turn right onto US 31W; US 60

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Dixie Highway
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Merge onto I 264

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Shawnee Expressway
9

Continue on I 264

11 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward I 64 East: Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 64

89 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 90B Toward US 25 North, US 421 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto US 25; US 421

151 ft · 8 sec · Lexington Road
14

Continue on US 25; US 421

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road
15

Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
16

Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business

0.5 mi · 51 sec · West Main Street
17

Turn left onto KY 388

104 ft · 2 sec · North 2nd Street
18

Arrive at destination

KY 388

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 53 miles from Shively, KY, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 23 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53 miles or 1h 4m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Shively, 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 Shively, KY

This is one driving day of about 106.1 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Shively, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 89.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53 mi from Shively, KY · 1h 4m into the drive

county seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Frankfort, KY

53 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

Worthington Hills, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frankfort, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53 miles from Shively, 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 89.2 miles.

Arriving in Richmond, KY

The final approach into Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY.

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

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.2

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15024932426

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1 mi

SAM'S CHICAGO GRILL

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Purdy's Coffee Co. (Downtown)

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 106.1

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18596249920

Visit website

Brewtanicals Coffee House and Plant Lounge

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Richmond, Kentucky

1.1 mi

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.9 mi

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15024932426

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 15.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+15024917707

Visit website

SAM'S CHICAGO GRILL

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15028834001

Visit website

Pier 17 Cajun Seafood Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 15.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15024099857

Visit website

Mussel & Burger Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15023844834

Visit website

Nuevo Vallarta

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.1

Richmond, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18596241433

Visit website

City Barbeque

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.2

Hurstbourne, Kentucky

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+15029968003

Visit website

La Palma Cuban Restaurant and Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+15029197074

Visit website

Purdy's Coffee Co. (Downtown)

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 106.1

Richmond, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18596249920

Visit website

Brewtanicals Coffee House and Plant Lounge

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.1

Richmond, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+18593027610

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.2

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15024096762

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15029199676

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15026371060

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15026341243

Visit website

Safai Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15023843555

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15023682820

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 7.6

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 22.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15026324455

Visit website

Jacobson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 90.9

Lexington, Kentucky

+18592882900

Visit website

Woodford Reserve Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 60.6

Versailles, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18598791812

Visit website

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

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...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 102.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.75 one way

$31.50 round trip

$3.77/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $17.77 $35.53
premium $4.65 $19.44 $38.88
diesel $5.30 $22.16 $44.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.8 0 $11.14 $5.09
Efficient EV 26.5 0 $9.28 $4.24
EV Truck/SUV 42.4 0 $14.85 $6.79

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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

Shively, KY

Late night in Shively on Saturday

Local time

5:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, KY

Late night in Richmond on Saturday

Local time

5:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

31 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

2h 3m 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 Shively, KY to Richmond, KY covers 106.1 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Henry Watterson Expressway, Lexington 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 53 miles from Shively, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.75 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 106.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.2 miles (Burrell Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Shively, KY to Richmond, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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