Burlington, KY to Paducah, KY is 306.6 miles and takes about 5h 44m via Western Kentucky Parkway and I-71/I-69, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a largely uninterrupted highway profile, this is a solid option for a single-day trip when you want to cover ground 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
153.3 miles from Burlington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
I 71
78.4 mi
1h 25m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
I 24
9.1 mi
9m
Burlington Pike
4.4 mi
7m
Kentucky Dam Road
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.9 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,751 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~427 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, KY and Paducah, 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
6.9 mi·7 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 71
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
12
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
16
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
17
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
18
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
22
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
23
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
25
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
26
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
27
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
28
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
29
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 44m drive time, departing Burlington in the morning will allow you to reach Paducah well before evening. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or where you begin to transition off the main parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer 98.9-mile stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can be more spread out. The $48 fuel estimate is based on current averages, so it's wise to have a little buffer. Since this is a feasible same-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 153.3 miles from Burlington, KY, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.9 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paducah, 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 306.6 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 135.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
8
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
95.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
135.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.28 one way
$90.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.99
$99.97
premium
$4.72
$56.93
$113.85
diesel
$4.80
$57.89
$115.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.19
$14.72
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.83
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.92
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Burlington, KY
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 5 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:33PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:27PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Destination
Paducah, KY
Evening
in Paducah on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:33PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:27PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
64°F
Morgantown, KY
153 mi in
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 44m 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.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 137.4
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 158.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 94% of the 306.6 miles on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 98.9 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway. Expect frequent exits on the highway portions, especially as you merge onto I-71 and then I-69. The transition to surface roads will occur towards the end of your drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.9 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 306.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
860 ft323 ft
Total Climb
603 ft
Total Descent
1,105 ft
Highest Point
860 ft
~131.4 mi in
Elevation Range
537 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burlington, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Paducah is a small city on the Ohio River about midway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee. The county seat of McCracken County and the largest city in the Jackson Purchase area of western Kentucky, Paducah has a booming riverfront restaurant trade and arts scene in part driven by the city's artist relocation program which offers interest-free housing loans and other subsidies for established artists willing to relocate. Paducah is the hometown of humorist Irvin Cobb and former Vice President Alben Barkley (who served under President Harry S. Truman). Fans of contemporary Christian music will know it as the hometown of Steven Curtis Chapman, one of that genre's most iconic artists.
Top landmarks
•Lloyd Tilghman Memorial — sculpture
•Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Paducah, Kentucky
•Paducah Freight House — railway station in Paducah, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 306.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.9 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Paducah, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Paducah, KY before the return drive.
