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Fall Road Trips in Kentucky

Routes

30

Avg Distance

363 mi

Avg Drive

6h 53m

Destinations

19

Kentucky in the fall offers a diverse range of driving experiences, from long hauls through varied terrain to shorter, more focused explorations. With 30 routes to choose from, you can find trips averaging 363 miles and over 6.5 hours, reaching elevations up to 1609 feet. This season is ideal for enjoying the state's natural beauty and accessible parks without the summer crowds.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.75/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$48–$110

One-way, ~363 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~127 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

Climate through the year: Kentucky

Kentucky peaks at around 89°F in Jul and cools to 44°F / 28°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~5.2 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 44 28 3.4 4.5
Feb 48 31 3.4 4.1
Mar 58 39 4.6 2.1
Apr 70 49 4.8 0.1
May 78 59 5.2
Jun 86 67 4.3
Jul 89 71 4.1
Aug 88 70 3.7
Sep peak 82 62 3.7
Oct peak 71 50 3.7 0.1
Nov peak 58 39 3.4 0.3
Dec 47 32 4.1 2.2

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for KY — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Kentucky that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 363 miles).
Current regular gas averages $3.75/gallon in Kentucky (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $48 and $110. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Sep, Oct, Nov, Kentucky typically sees daytime highs in the 58–82°F range with about 3.6 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Editor's pick

Newport, KY → Fort Smith, AR

747.9 mi 13h 46m Score: 6/10 ~$110 fuel

Through: Indianapolis → Louisville → Paducah +7 more

5 tricky spots

This extensive 747.9-mile drive is the longest option, offering a chance to see a wide swath of the country. While its drive score is 6, the presence of parks makes it a solid choice for those seeking a grand, cross-state adventure with mostly flat terrain.

Editor's pick

Clinton, KY → Georgetown, KY

411.6 mi 8h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Henderson → Hopkinsville → Somerset +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

For a route with a higher drive score of 8, this 411.6-mile trip climbs to a maximum elevation of 1609 feet. It’s a good pick for experiencing Kentucky's gently rolling terrain and its accessible parklands.

Editor's pick

Fulton, KY → Meads, KY

399.6 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Henderson → Princeton → Elizabethtown +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

This 399.6-mile route stands out with an excellent EV coverage rating and 31 DC fast chargers. It offers a high drive score of 8 and traverses mostly flat terrain, making it a convenient and well-supported option for electric vehicle drivers.

Pikeville, KY → Paducah, KY

395.3 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Georgetown, KY → Hendron, KY

380.5 mi 7h 31m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: London → Bowling Green → Scottsville +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hendron, KY → Ironville, KY

374.4 mi 7h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Princeton → Elizabethtown → Louisville +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ironville, KY → Paducah, KY

370.6 mi 6h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hendron, KY → Meads, KY

370.1 mi 6h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Princeton → Elizabethtown → Louisville +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Meads, KY → Paducah, KY

366.9 mi 6h 50m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Meads, KY → Reidland, KY

360.4 mi 6h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ledbetter, KY → Meads, KY

358.7 mi 6h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$53 fuel

Through: Princeton → Elizabethtown → Louisville +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Calvert City, KY → Meads, KY

352.4 mi 6h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$52 fuel

Through: Princeton → Elizabethtown → Louisville +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Marion, KY → Meads, KY

342.2 mi 6h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$51 fuel

Through: Elizabethtown → Louisville → Lexington +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ironville, KY → Indian Hills, KY

342.1 mi 6h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$51 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pikeville, KY → Henderson, KY

340 mi 6h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Louisville → Kentucky

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Middlesboro, KY → Paducah, KY

339.8 mi 6h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: London → Bowling Green → Scottsville +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cadiz, KY → Meads, KY

339.1 mi 6h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: Elizabethtown → Louisville → Lexington +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ironville, KY → Morganfield, KY

337.8 mi 6h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Louisville → Henderson +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Florence, KY → Clinton, KY

336.6 mi 6h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: Indianapolis → Louisville → Paducah +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ironville, KY → Breckinridge Center, KY

335.6 mi 6h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$50 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Louisville → Henderson +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Georgetown, KY → Dawson Springs, KY

333.8 mi 6h 31m Score: 9/10 ~$49 fuel

Through: Livingston → Bluegrass Parkway West → Paducah +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Morganfield, KY → Meads, KY

333 mi 6h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$49 fuel

Through: Madisonville → Ashland

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Meads, KY → Breckinridge Center, KY

331.9 mi 6h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$49 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Louisville → Henderson +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Meads, KY → Eddyville, KY

331.9 mi 6h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$49 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hopkinsville, KY → Ashland, KY

331.6 mi 6h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$49 fuel

Through: Elizabethtown → Louisville → Lexington +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Greenup, KY → Hopkinsville, KY

328.1 mi 6h 4m Score: 8/10 ~$48 fuel

Through: Cincinnati → Lexington → Elizabethtown +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Georgetown, KY → Madisonville, KY

326.6 mi 6h 23m Score: 9/10 ~$48 fuel

Through: Livingston → Bluegrass Parkway West → Paducah +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Providence, KY → Ironville, KY

326.4 mi 6h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$48 fuel

Through: Elizabethtown → Louisville → Lexington +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Georgetown, KY → Cadiz, KY

325.9 mi 6h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$48 fuel

Through: London → Bowling Green → Scottsville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hopkinsville, KY → Pikeville, KY

325.5 mi 6h 17m Score: 9/10 ~$48 fuel

Through: Somerset → Glasgow → Burnside

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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