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Trip from Elizabethtown, KY to Corbin, 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

2h 40m

Distance

138.6 mi

223 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m

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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county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States

Elizabethtown, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Whitley and Knox counties in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky

Corbin, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 138.6-mile journey from Elizabethtown, KY, to Corbin, KY, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Lexington and the scenic Bluegrass Parkway, with a significant portion on local roads near Bardstown. With no interstate highways on this route, expect a more engaged driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $21, and you'll encounter just one designated stop. This route is ideal for those who prefer a more hands-on driving experience over highway miles, offering a good feel for the Southeast region of Kentucky.

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

69.3 miles from Elizabethtown, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 29.6 mi 31m
Danville Road 29 mi 33m
US 150 24.3 mi 27m
Bluegrass Parkway 23.8 mi 25m
Bardstown Road 9.2 mi 10m
Springfield Road 5.6 mi 6m
South Danville Bypass 5.5 mi 6m
North Mulberry Street 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 29.6 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, KY and Corbin, KY.

1

Start on US 62; KY 61

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Mulberry Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
3

Merge onto I 65

0.6 mi · 38 sec · I 65
4

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

24 mi · 25 min · Bluegrass Parkway
6

Take the exit onto US 31E Truck

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 31E Truck
Toward Bardstown
7

Turn right onto US 150

5.6 mi · 6 min · Springfield Road
8

Continue on US 150

9.2 mi · 10 min · Bardstown Road
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 150

93 ft · 1 sec · US 150
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 150

24 mi · 27 min · US 150
11

Turn right onto US 127 Bypass; US 150 Bypass

5.5 mi · 6 min · South Danville Bypass
12

Continue on US 150

2.0 mi · 2 min · Stanford Road
13

Continue on US 150

29 mi · 33 min · Danville Road
14

Continue on US 25

2.0 mi · 2 min · South Daniel Boone Trail
15

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
16

Merge onto I 75

30 mi · 31 min · I 75
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
18

Turn left onto US 25E

1.2 mi · 1 min · Corbin Bypass
19

Turn right onto KY 3431

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Cherry Avenue
20

Turn right onto US 25W

0.4 mi · 33 sec · West Dixie Highway
21

Continue on US 25W

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Skinier Street
22

Continue on US 25W

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Laurel Avenue
23

At end of road, turn right onto US 25W; KY 312

0.3 mi · 50 sec · US 25W; KY 312
24

Turn left onto KY 312

247 ft · 5 sec · West Gordon Street
25

Arrive at destination

KY 312

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 40-minute duration and 138.6-mile length, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours and allow ample time for the numerous turns. With only one stop recommended and a fuel cost of approximately $21, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Corbin, since the route has a high proportion of local roads. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the transition from the Bluegrass Parkway to local roads near Bardstown, as this is where the 'turn-heavy' character becomes most pronounced.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.3 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.6 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 30 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.3 miles or 1h 19m 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 11m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY

This is one driving day of about 138.6 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Elizabethtown, 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 75 for about 29.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Junction City, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Junction City, KY

69 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bloomfield, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction City, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.3 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

Seasons Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Corbin, Kentucky

0.2 mi

Slim Chickens

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

Dry Stack Coffee Roastery + Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Danville, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 1h 20m in / 1h 20m to go 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18592092200

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

2.6 mi

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

Seasons Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $40

Corbin, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16065281298

Visit website

Slim Chickens

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+12705060980

Visit website

KFC

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Corbin, Kentucky

Hours: 9:30 am–11 pm

+16065282163

Visit website

Green Bamboo Chinese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12707693457

Cinco De Mayo Mexican Bar And Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023501145

Visit website

El Acapulco

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822133

Visit website

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Dry Stack Coffee Roastery + Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Danville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18592092200

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

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

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

London, Kentucky

+16063302130

Visit website

Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Mt Vernon, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16062561000

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 138.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown
5
42.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | US 150

Keep slight left at fork onto US 150

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
135.3 mi into trip | ~2h 34m 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
138.3 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | US 25W; KY 312

At end of road, turn right onto US 25W; KY 312

Navigation decision point

5
138.6 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | KY 312 / West Gordon Street

Turn left onto KY 312 / West Gordon Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.67 one way

$43.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.79 $47.58
premium $4.89 $26.67 $53.34
diesel $5.61 $30.60 $61.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.6 0 $14.55 $6.65
Efficient EV 34.7 0 $12.13 $5.54
EV Truck/SUV 55.4 0 $19.40 $8.87

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 20, 2026

Origin

Elizabethtown, KY

Late night in Elizabethtown on Tuesday

Local time

4:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Corbin, KY

Late night in Corbin on Tuesday

Local time

4:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Junction City, KY

69 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 40m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' as you traverse 138.6 miles with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be actively steering and managing your speed more often, as the route incorporates numerous local roads, particularly around Bardstown. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a dynamic driving experience rather than long, straightaways. You'll likely find yourself adjusting to varying speed limits and road conditions more frequently, making it an engaging route for those who enjoy a more involved drive.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.6 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 138.6 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.7 miles (US 150): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 135.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Elizabethtown, KY to Corbin, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Bardstown along the way.

Bardstown

27.6 mi in | ~31m | via US 31E Truck

About the Cities

Starting in Elizabethtown, KY

Full guide →

Elizabethtown is a small town in the Kentucky Derby Region. Abraham Lincoln's parents Thomas and Nancy had their daughter Sarah here in 1807 and then Abraham nearby at Sinking Spring Farm in 1809.

Arriving in Corbin, KY

Full guide →

Founded 1895

Corbin, a small city in Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country, is the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

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 2h 40m. Total distance: 138.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Corbin, 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.7 miles (US 150): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 135.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Corbin, KY before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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