Spanning 173.9 miles, this trek from Albany to Georgetown takes approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes of drive time. Because the journey is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Monticello Road, Cumberland Gap Parkway, and the Hal Rogers Parkway as you travel through the Southeast region of Kentucky. Budgeting roughly $26 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between these two Kentucky communities.
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
86.9 miles from Albany, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monticello Road
35.7 mi
47m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
Hal Rogers Parkway
28.7 mi
32m
KY 38
19.7 mi
34m
Harlan Road
15.9 mi
18m
Pineville Road
13.1 mi
14m
I 75
11.3 mi
12m
KY 914
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Monticello Road
— 35.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, KY and Georgetown, KY.
1
Start on KY 350
108 ft·4 sec·East Cumberland Street
2
Turn right onto US 127 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Washington Street
3
Continue on US 127 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·North Cross Street
4
Turn right onto US 127
0.8 mi·53 sec·US 127
5
Turn right onto KY 558
1.3 mi·2 min·KY 558
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto KY 90
36 mi·47 min·Monticello Road
7
Continue on KY 1247
4.1 mi·4 min·KY 1247
8
Turn right onto KY 914
4.4 mi·5 min·KY 914
9
Turn right onto KY 80
29 mi·32 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
11
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
13
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
14
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
15
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
16
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
17
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
18
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
19
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft·9 sec·KY 38
20
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
91 ft·1 sec·KY 38
21
Continue on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
22
Arrive at destination
KY 38
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with a manageable duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as this will help you maintain focus during the 3-hour and 42-minute transit. Given the $26 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Albany is a smart move to avoid unnecessary stops later on. Keep a close watch on your navigation when transitioning between Monticello Road and the parkways, as these intersections are the most critical points of the journey. Taking advantage of the single planned stop will ensure you arrive in Georgetown feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.9 miles from Albany, KY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.7 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.9 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Georgetown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, 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 Albany, KY
This is one driving day of about 173.9 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Albany, 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 Monticello Road for about 35.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 24.8
Monticello, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+16063430011
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 127 Business / North Washington Street
Turn right onto US 127 Business / North Washington Street
Navigation decision point
4
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|KY 558
Turn right onto KY 558
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
49 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway
Turn right onto KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
5
154.3 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|KY 38
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.19 one way
$54.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.85
$59.70
premium
$4.89
$33.47
$66.93
diesel
$5.61
$38.39
$76.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.2
0
$18.26
$8.35
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.22
$6.96
EV Truck/SUV
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Albany, KY
Morning
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Georgetown, KY
Morning
in Georgetown on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
3h 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 125.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and more substantial parkways. With a highway share of 59%, the route balances slower, steady segments with faster sections that help you make time. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 35.7-mile segment on Monticello Road, which serves as a significant portion of your early travel. As you move from the initial backroads onto the parkways, the pace of the drive shifts, requiring you to stay attentive to changing road types. It is a varied drive that keeps you engaged without the monotony of a purely interstate-focused itinerary.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.7 mi on Monticello Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 127 Business / North Washington Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Albany, KY to Georgetown, KY is easy. At 3h 42m with 59% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 127 Business / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (KY 558): Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Albany, KY to Georgetown, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Barbourville along the way.
Barbourville
89.3 mi in|~1h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 173.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.7 miles on Monticello Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 127 Business / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (KY 558): Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Georgetown, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
