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Trip from Clinton, KY to Louisville, KY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

251.3 mi

404 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clinton, KY, KY

Clinton, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Downtown Louisville, KY, KY

Louisville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 251.3-mile drive from Clinton, KY, to Louisville, KY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes of pure driving time. It's a highway-focused journey, with 94% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-69 and I-65, after an initial stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, this route is efficient for a road trip within Kentucky. The drive is straightforward, making it a manageable day trip for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours. Given the relatively short duration and high percentage of highway driving, it's a practical option for getting from point A to point B within the Southeast region.

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

125.6 miles from Clinton, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway 99.2 mi 1h 46m
I 69 91.8 mi 1h 39m
I 65 43.6 mi 48m
Mayfield Road 12 mi 21m
KY 339 2.4 mi 4m
West Muhammad Ali Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
South 5th Street 0.2 mi <1m
South Brook Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Western Kentucky Parkway — 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, KY and Louisville, KY.

1

Start on US 51

0.1 mi · 30 sec · North Washington Street
2

Turn left onto KY 58

12 mi · 21 min · Mayfield Road
3

Continue on KY 339

2.4 mi · 4 min · KY 339
4

Turn left

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Purchase Parkway North: Mayfield
5

Merge onto I 69

37 mi · 39 min · I 69
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

17 mi · 17 min · I 69
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
7

Take the exit onto I 69

38 mi · 41 min · I 69
Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12

Merge onto I 65

44 mi · 48 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 136B Toward Brook Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on South Brook Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South Brook Street
15

Turn left onto West Muhammad Ali Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Turn right onto South 5th Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South 5th Street
17

Turn left onto West Jefferson Street

221 ft · 7 sec · West Jefferson Street
18

Arrive at destination

West Jefferson Street

Trip Plan

For this 4 hour and 46 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Clinton, KY, to maximize your daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $39, you can easily manage this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the transition to I-69 or I-65. Given the highway-heavy nature of this route, keeping an eye on traffic advisories for the approaches to Louisville is a good practical tip.

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 125.6 miles from Clinton, KY, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.6 miles or 2h 26m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Louisville, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, KY

This is one driving day of about 251.3 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Clinton, 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 99.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat in Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Madisonville, KY

126 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Madisonville, KY to Louisville, KY

153.8 mi · 2h 51m

Pacing Suggestions

Benton, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Beaver Dam, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.6 miles from Clinton, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Vincenzo's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route Expensive

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15025801350

Visit website

Addis Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.2 mi

Safier Mediterranean Deli

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15025893222

Visit website

Blak Koffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.6 mi

Quills Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.2 mi

Vincenzo's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route Expensive

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11:30 am–1:30 pm

+15025801350

Visit website

Addis Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15025811011

Visit website

Safier Mediterranean Deli

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15025851125

Visit website

Wild Swann Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15024343777

Visit website

Neighborhood Services Bar + Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15023136713

Visit website

La Bodeguita De Mima

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 12–2:30 pm

+15027423358

Visit website

Global Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

+12057439331

Buck's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Expensive

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15026375284

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15025893222

Visit website

Blak Koffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15022903729

Visit website

Quills Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15028615844

Visit website

Please & Thank You "MARK"

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15025530113

Visit website

Pearl Street Game & Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18129200926

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18125903867

Visit website

Quills Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15028615844

Visit website

The Breeze Wine & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15028903040

Visit website

Muhammad Ali Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15025849254

Visit website

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18777758443

Visit website

Flame Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15025845353

Visit website

Howard Steamboat Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18122833728

Visit website

Big 4 Escape

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 2–8 pm

+18127251046

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

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 51.6 and 250.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
51.6 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 69

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Hender...
6
68.2 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 69

Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
106.5 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | Western Kentucky Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
7
250.3 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in

Take the exit toward Brook Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 136B Toward Brook Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.29 one way

$78.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.14 $86.27
premium $4.89 $48.36 $96.72
diesel $5.61 $55.48 $110.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.4 0 $26.39 $12.06
Efficient EV 62.8 0 $21.99 $10.05
EV Truck/SUV 100.5 1 $35.18 $16.08

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 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 20, 2026

Origin

Clinton, KY

Late night in Clinton on Tuesday

Local time

4:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Louisville, KY

Late night in Louisville on Tuesday

Local time

5:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 46m 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

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 207.9
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park

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 182
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 251.3-mile trip, with 94% of your journey on major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway, I-69, and I-65. This means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with long stretches of consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted segment is a considerable 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing for significant progress before needing to adjust your course. While not a scenic byway, the highway infrastructure provides a smooth and predictable drive, ideal for those prioritizing direct travel over winding backroads.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.6 miles in near I 69.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 251.3 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 51.6 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Clinton, KY and Louisville, KY, road signs point toward Purchase Parkway North: Mayfield, Henderson, Princeton and Elizabethtown.

Purchase Parkway North: Mayfield

14.6 mi in | ~25m

Henderson

51.6 mi in | ~1h 5m | via I 69

Princeton

68.2 mi in | ~1h 23m | via I 69

Elizabethtown

106.8 mi in | ~2h 5m | via Western Kentucky Parkway

About the Cities

Arriving in Louisville, KY

Full guide →

Founded 1778

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is known for the Kentucky Derby horserace and as the "gateway to the south" from southern Indiana. It's a lively mid-sized city with an excellent dining scene, ample opportunities for bourbon tasting, and interesting public art. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball — the Louisville Slugger.

Top landmarks

  • • Waverly Hills Sanatorium — former hospital in Kentucky, United States
  • • Bowman Field — public airport in Louisville, Kentucky, United States
  • • Cathedral of the Assumption — Catholic cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 46m 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 99.2 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 Louisville, 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 51.6 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. 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 Louisville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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