Spanning 241.5 miles across Kentucky, this journey from Burlington to Georgetown is a straightforward trek that typically takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. Since the entire route sits within the same state, you will stay firmly in the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. With a total estimated fuel cost of $37, it is an affordable excursion that easily fits into a single day of driving. While you could certainly stretch the trip out, the duration is manageable enough that you won't necessarily need an overnight stay. Expect to spend most of your time on major corridors like I-71 and the Cumberland Gap Parkway. It is a practical, no-nonsense path for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.8 miles from Burlington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
150.7 mi
2h 41m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
KY 38
19.7 mi
34m
Harlan Road
15.9 mi
18m
Pineville Road
13.1 mi
14m
Burlington Pike
4.4 mi
7m
Corbin Bypass
2 mi
3m
Bob Madon Bypass
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 150.7 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, KY and Georgetown, KY.
1
Start on KY 338
68 ft·5 sec·Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto KY 18
0.2 mi·21 sec·Washington Street
3
Continue on KY 18
4.4 mi·7 min·Burlington Pike
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
1.6 mi·3 min
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 71; I 75
151 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
7
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
8
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
9
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
10
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
11
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
12
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
13
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft·9 sec·KY 38
14
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
91 ft·1 sec·KY 38
15
Continue on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
16
Arrive at destination
KY 38
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 45-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or early afternoon without feeling pressured by time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the interstate portions, as the transition to KY 38 may offer fewer service options than the main highway stretches. Because the trip is well under the threshold for a multi-day journey, you can easily complete it in one go while maintaining a relaxed pace. Prioritize a departure time that avoids peak local traffic near your starting point in Burlington to ensure a smooth start to your day.
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 120.8 miles from Burlington, KY, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.7 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, KY
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Burlington, 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 I 71 for about 150.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 221.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 18 / Washington Street
Turn right onto KY 18 / Washington Street
Navigation decision point
7
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louis...
5
6.2 mi into trip|~11m in|I 71; I 75
Merge onto I 71; I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
156.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
221.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|KY 38
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.76 one way
$75.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.45
$82.91
premium
$4.89
$46.47
$92.95
diesel
$5.61
$53.32
$106.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Burlington, KY
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Georgetown, KY
Night
in Georgetown on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 199.9
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 91.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 84% of your journey consists of high-speed travel. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 150.7 miles along I-71. The character of the drive shifts as you transition from the interstate onto the Cumberland Gap Parkway and eventually KY 38. While the interstate sections allow for steady progress, the local roads provide a change of pace as you navigate toward Georgetown. You should prepare for a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical, winding backroads, making it a reliable choice for drivers who prefer keeping their cruise control engaged for the majority of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.7 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Cumberland Gap Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KY 18 / Washington Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 45m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (KY 18 / Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles (I 71; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Burlington, KY to Georgetown, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Barbourville along the way.
Barbourville
156.9 mi in|~2h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 150.7 miles on I 71. 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 (KY 18 / Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles (I 71; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Georgetown, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
