Origin
Versailles, KY
Afternoon in Versailles on Friday
Local time
1:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Versailles, KY to Richmond, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
39 mi
63 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Versailles, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Richmond, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 39-mile drive from Versailles to Richmond, Kentucky, is easily manageable in about 51 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-75 and New Circle Road, with a portion on Lexington Road, offering a convenient connection between these Southeast Kentucky communities. With an estimated fuel cost of just $6, this trip is very budget-friendly. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of highway and potentially some local road travel, but the short distance means you won't be on the road for long. Given its brevity and low cost, this route offers a lot of flexibility for your schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 39 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 34% of the journey on highways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 13.3 miles on I-75, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The use of New Circle Road and Lexington Road indicates you'll transition from faster highway travel to potentially more localized driving as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience different road conditions and speeds throughout the 51-minute trip, keeping things engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.2 miles in near KY 4 / New Circle Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 39 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 18.3 miles (US 25; US 421 / Richmond Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge onto KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
16.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Alumni Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 16
Toward Alumni Drive
5
18.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 25; US 421 / Richmond Road
Turn right onto US 25; US 421 / Richmond Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
22.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
36 mi into trip
|
~46m 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 75 | 13.3 mi | 14m |
| New Circle Road | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| Lexington Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Versailles Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Athens Boonesboro Road | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Richmond Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Man O War Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| Alumni Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 13.3 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Versailles, KY and Richmond, KY.
1
Start on US 60 Business
327 ft
·
7 sec
·
Lexington Street
2
Continue on US 60 Business
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Lexington Road
3
Continue on US 60
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
5
Merge onto KY 4
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 16
Toward Alumni Drive
7
Turn right onto Alumni Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Alumni Drive
8
Turn left onto Man O War Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Man O War Boulevard
9
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Richmond Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on KY 418
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Athens Boonesboro Road
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Knoxville
12
Merge onto I 75
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 90B
Toward US 25 North, US 421 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 25; US 421
151 ft
·
8 sec
·
Lexington Road
15
Continue on US 25; US 421
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lexington Road
16
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 25 Business; US 421 Business
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Turn left onto KY 388
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 2nd Street
19
Arrive at destination
KY 388
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from Versailles, KY · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Versailles, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Richmond, KY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Richmond, KY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.10 one way
$12.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.69 | $13.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.51 | $15.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Richmond, KY
Afternoon in Richmond on Friday
Local time
1:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
29 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
51m 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 Versailles, KY to Richmond, KY covers 39 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, New Circle Road, Lexington Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from Versailles, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.10 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 is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 39 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 18.3 miles (US 25; US 421 / Richmond Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Versailles, KY to Richmond, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Richmond, KY
More trips to Richmond, KY
Explore more options from Versailles, KY or browse trips ending in Richmond, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.