Spanning 267.2 miles across Kentucky, this journey from Claryville to Hopkinsville is a commitment that takes approximately 5 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like South Licking Pike, Creektrace Road, and Decoursey Pike, it functions best as a dedicated single-day trip. You should budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the distance. While both towns sit within the Southeast region, the transit between them requires your full attention due to the winding nature of the path. It is a practical trek for those who prefer backroads over the monotony of major interstates, though you should be prepared for a steady day behind the wheel.
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
133.6 miles from Claryville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
I 71
71.1 mi
1h 16m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
I 169
24.7 mi
26m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi
6m
Visalia Road
2.9 mi
4m
Creektrace Road
2.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claryville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·51 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
486 ft·37 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto South Licking Pike
1.6 mi·3 min·South Licking Pike
4
Turn left onto KY 536
2.8 mi·5 min·Creektrace Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto KY 177; KY 536
0.5 mi·49 sec·Decoursey Pike
6
Turn right onto KY 536
2.9 mi·4 min·Visalia Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto KY 536
1.2 mi·1 min·Staffordsburg Road
8
Turn left onto KY 536
398 ft·9 sec·Maverick Road
9
Turn left onto KY 16; KY 536
2.1 mi·3 min·Taylor Mill Road
10
Continue on KY 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Walton Nicholson Pike
11
Continue on KY 16
0.4 mi·37 sec·Walton Nicholson Road
12
Turn right onto US 25; KY 16
0.6 mi·54 sec·Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 25; KY 16
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
14
Turn right onto Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Beaver Road
15
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Stephenson Mill Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·School Road
17
Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16
0.2 mi·24 sec·Mary Grubbs Highway
Use the right lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
19
Merge onto I 75
1.1 mi·1 min·I 75
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
23
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
27
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
31
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
33
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
34
Continue on I 169
25 mi·26 min·I 169
Exit 106A
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
36
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
37
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi·29 sec·McLean Avenue
38
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
39
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft·13 sec·Bethel Street
40
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route without highway relief, plan to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Hopkinsville before fatigue sets in. You have one scheduled stop to build into your itinerary, which will be essential for stretching your legs given the technical nature of the roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $40 cost estimate assumes consistent travel; rural roads may offer fewer refueling options than major corridors. Given the complexity of the road layout, verify your navigation before leaving Claryville to stay on track through the numerous turns. Prioritize steady pacing over speed, as the winding local roads are not designed for rapid transit.
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 133.6 miles from Claryville, KY, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 59 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h 42m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkinsville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Claryville, 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 Claryville, KY
This is one driving day of about 267.2 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Claryville, 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 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 102 and 266.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
102 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
142 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
142.2 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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...
8
266.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68, KY 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.77 one way
$83.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.87
$91.73
premium
$4.89
$51.42
$102.84
diesel
$5.61
$58.99
$117.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.2
0
$28.06
$12.83
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
EV Truck/SUV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Claryville, KY
Late night
in Claryville on Sunday
Local time
12:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hopkinsville, KY
Night
in Hopkinsville on Saturday
Local time
11:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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 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 8m 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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 138.2
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 165.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that avoids high-speed interstate travel entirely. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local arteries for the duration of the 267.2-mile trip. The longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on South Licking Pike, meaning this route demands constant engagement and frequent steering adjustments. Unlike a standard highway cruise, the personality of this drive is technical and intimate, requiring you to remain alert as you transition between various local roads. It is an ideal choice if you enjoy active, hands-on driving rather than passive highway miles.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 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 102 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 30 significant decision points across 267.2 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 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Claryville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 267.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. 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.
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 Hopkinsville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hopkinsville, KY before the return drive.
