Eastern Kentucky University lies on the south edge of Richmond, a community of 25,000 where the rolling Bluegrass area of Kentucky meets the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. Interstate and federal highways make Richmond accessible from several directions.

I-75 (north-south) passes within a mile of campus, and I-64 (east-west) is only 30 minutes away. Kentucky's system of parkways - the Bluegrass, Mountain, Daniel Boone, and Cumberland - are a short drive from Richmond.

Lexington's Blue Grass Airport, located 30 miles from campus, is served by several major airlines.

Places of historic and scenic interest surround the EKU campus. The University is 25 miles south of Lexington; Fort Boonesborough State Park is 12 miles away, Berea is just 15 miles away, and White Hall State Shrine is eight miles from campus.

Other points of interest include Herington Lake (35 miles), the state capitol at Frankfort (50 miles), Natural Bridge State Park (63 miles), My Old Kentucky Home at Bardstown (85 miles), Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (100 miles), and the Kentucky Horse Park (40 miles).