Virginia Roads to Lexington KY

The Drive

The drive is about 7–8 hours, depending on mountain rain, fog, and the occasional tractor-trailer mishap.

This time, we took the Honda CR-V, and the entire trip took about 3–4 full tanks of gas.

We stopped at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve for a picnic lunch (exit 139). We stopped at Grandview (exit 129B) — and it's called that for good reason. The views are spectacular. It's also so much better than fast food on the road and much faster than sitting down at a restaurant.

Overnight Stop

At our age, it's about the journey.

A good overnight stop is Lewisburg, WV, or, if you want to drive another hour, Beckley, WV. Both are super-cute towns with walkable downtown areas and enough to explore to make the stop feel like part of the trip rather than just a place to sleep.

On our way home from Red River Gorge, we stayed overnight in Beckley, which left us with a much more manageable 4½-hour drive home the next day.

When to Go

We went in September, but I think early October would be the perfect time to go if you want to see the leaves changing color.

Where to Stay

We stayed at a budget hotel. The room was directly in front of a streetlight, and the blackout shades didn't quite fit the window. Let's just say our next stay will be at a hotel with actual curtains!

We paid about $260 for two nights and did get a really nice breakfast, so there were definitely some positives.

What to Do

The Bourbon Trail

Of course, we hit the Bourbon Trail. [Click here for the best map available.]

We started in Lawrenceburg, KY, with a morning tour at Four Roses. From there, we headed toward Frankfort to visit Buffalo Trace.

And don't overlook J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.

Between Four Roses and Buffalo Trace, you could easily branch off and visit:

• Whiskey Thief — Tours, a fire pit, and scheduled free music. This would be a great place to end your day.

• Woodford Reserve — If you really want to appreciate this distillery, book a tour.

• Castle & Key — Another beautiful distillery. Again, book a tour if you want the full experience.

Music

We went to The Burl to see Lamont Landers. His concert was the entire reason for this trip!

The Burl is really a destination for adults. There's live music, an adult arcade, and Lucy's — a walk-up window café serving serious bar food with a Mexican twist.

The indoor concert space holds only about 300 people, and thankfully, the show wasn't sold out (maybe 100 people). The outdoor concert space holds around 1,500.

Activities

Stanton, KY

Kayaking — Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge is about 1½ hours from Lexington and sits inside the Daniel Boone National Forest.

We kayaked the Float Down, an 8-mile, 4-hour, self-guided trip down the river. Pack a soft cooler with plenty of water and snacks. You'll be glad you did.

The next morning, we kayaked the caves on a 1½-hour guided tour.

Cabin rentals are available; DO NOT STAY at the Black Bear Lodge.

Beckley, WV

If you're staying overnight in Beckley, consider adding a coal mine tour to your trip.

So... Was It Worth the Drive?

Yes.

Would we do it again?

Absolutely — but I'd plan the overnight stop on both the way there and the way home. Beckley, WV, or Lewisburg, WV, would both make good choices.

Breaking up the drive makes the whole trip feel more like an adventure and less like a marathon.

Next Drive

Spring: Emerald Hollow Mine — Hiddenite, NC

For now, I plan, then I walk...