This 142.4-mile journey from Tompkinsville, KY to Lexington, KY is a straightforward, single-day trip, taking an estimated 2 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it’s an economical option for a quick excursion. The drive is characterized by its local road nature, with no highway driving involved, suggesting a more intimate experience of the Kentucky landscape. You'll be navigating through familiar territory within the Southeast region of Kentucky for the entire trip. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to focus on reaching your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
68.2 miles from Tompkinsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 136.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You won't encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed driving; instead, the journey will feel more connected to the communities you pass through. The main roads, including North Main Street, Edmonton Road, and Greensburg Street, suggest a progression through towns and rural areas. This type of driving requires consistent attention to navigation and speed adjustments, offering a more engaging experience for those who prefer to feel the road beneath their wheels.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 127 is the longest continuous segment at about 48.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KY 163 / North Main 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 136.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 (KY 163 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.4 miles (US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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|KY 163 / North Main Street
Turn left onto KY 163 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
4
103.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
7
135 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward KY 1974: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward KY 1974: Lexington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tompkinsville, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Somerset and Russell Springs.
Somerset
22.3 mi in|~29m
Russell Springs
54.7 mi in|~1h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 127
48.4 mi
56m
Cumberland Parkway
32 mi
34m
Edmonton Road
19.7 mi
25m
Lexington Road
15.2 mi
19m
Danville Road
6 mi
6m
South Main Street
3.9 mi
6m
Nicholasville Road
2.2 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 127
— 48.4 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tompkinsville, KY and Lexington, KY.
1
Start on KY 63
61 ft·9 sec·West 4th Street
2
Turn left onto KY 163
1.6 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on KY 163
20 mi·25 min·Edmonton Road
4
Turn left onto US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·Greensburg Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Somerset
6
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
32 mi·34 min·Cumberland Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 62Toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
8
Merge onto US 127
48 mi·56 min·US 127
9
Turn right onto US 150; KY 34; KY 52
0.3 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
10
Turn left onto KY 34
0.3 mi·23 sec·Wilderness Road
11
Continue on KY 34
0.9 mi·1 min·East Lexington Avenue
12
Continue on KY 34
0.7 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
13
Continue on KY 34
3.6 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
14
Continue on KY 34
1.4 mi·2 min·Chenault Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto US 27
6.4 mi·7 min·Lexington Road
16
Continue on US 27
6.0 mi·6 min·Danville Road
17
Turn right onto US 27 Business
3.9 mi·6 min·South Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 27
4.5 mi·5 min·Lexington Road
19
Continue on US 27
2.2 mi·3 min·Nicholasville Road
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward KY 4 East: New Circle RoadUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto KY 4
1.0 mi·1 min·New Circle Road
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 18Toward KY 1974: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto KY 1974
0.2 mi·28 sec·Tates Creek Road
24
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Gainesway Drive
25
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
261 ft·9 sec·Coldstream Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Coldstream Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 42 minutes, you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave Tompkinsville in the morning to maximize your daylight hours in Lexington. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a brief break to refuel or stretch your legs. Pay close attention to speed limits as you transition between local roads, particularly on Edmonton Road and Greensburg Street, as these are likely to have more varied traffic patterns. The $22 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check your fuel gauge before departing.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.2 miles from Tompkinsville, KY, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.4 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 13m
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 Tompkinsville, 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 Tompkinsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 136.5 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Tompkinsville, 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 US 127 for about 48.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.2 mi from Tompkinsville, KY
· 1h 20m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.34 one way
$42.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.43
$46.86
premium
$4.89
$26.27
$52.54
diesel
$5.61
$30.14
$60.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.9
0
$14.33
$6.55
Efficient EV
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
EV Truck/SUV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tompkinsville, KY
Morning
in Tompkinsville on Saturday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lexington, KY
Morning
in Lexington on Saturday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Junction City, KY
68 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
21 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
2h 47m 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 Tompkinsville, KY to Lexington, KY covers 136.5 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 127, Cumberland Parkway, Edmonton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.2 miles from Tompkinsville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.34 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 (KY 163 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.4 miles (US 150; KY 34; KY 52 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Between Tompkinsville, KY and Lexington, KY, road signs point toward Somerset and Russell Springs.
