Spanning 165.5 miles across Kentucky, this journey from Elizabethtown to Reidland typically takes about three hours of drive time. Because the route is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast region, you will utilize a mix of local roads including South Mulberry Street, the Elizabethtown Bypass, and routes through Leitchfield. This drive is a straightforward local excursion that connects two distinct parts of the state through a series of turns rather than a single major interstate corridor.
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
82.8 miles from Elizabethtown, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.3 mi
1h 45m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 24
9.1 mi
9m
Kentucky Dam Road
1.2 mi
1m
US 68
0.9 mi
1m
Elizabethtown Bypass
0.6 mi
<1m
North Mulberry Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Park Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, KY and Reidland, KY.
1
Start on US 62; KY 61
0.5 mi·48 sec·North Mulberry Street
2
Turn left
92 ft·2 sec
3
Turn slight right onto US 62
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Mulberry Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto US 31W Bypass
0.6 mi·37 sec·Elizabethtown Bypass
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
7
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
8
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
9
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
13
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
14
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
1.2 mi·1 min·Kentucky Dam Road
16
Turn left onto KY 1887
0.3 mi·46 sec·Park Road
17
Turn right onto KY 131
63 ft·1 sec·Reidland Rd
18
Arrive at destination
KY 131
Trip Plan
Since this is a three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving early can help you avoid local traffic congestion. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits easily into your $25 budget. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between local roads like the Elizabethtown Bypass and the stretches through Leitchfield, as the lack of highway signage means you should double-check your turns. Given the nature of this route, ensure your vehicle is ready for a winding drive rather than a straight highway sprint. Taking your time through the more technical sections will make the three-hour duration feel much more manageable.
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 82.8 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 36 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reidland, 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 165.5 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 165.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky P...
7
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68B
Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
5
162.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 68: Paducah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
6
163.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
5
165.5 mi into trip|~3h in|KY 131 / Reidland Rd
Turn right onto KY 131 / Reidland Rd
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.87 one way
$51.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.41
$56.82
premium
$4.89
$31.85
$63.70
diesel
$5.61
$36.54
$73.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.38
$7.94
Efficient EV
41.4
0
$14.48
$6.62
EV Truck/SUV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Elizabethtown, KY
Night
in Elizabethtown on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reidland, KY
Night
in Reidland on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Greenville, KY
83 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
29 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
3h 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.
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...
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
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 drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating surface roads for the entirety of the 165.5-mile journey. The character of the road changes as you transition away from the Elizabethtown area, shifting into a more localized driving experience. Because of the frequent turns, you will find that the pace is dictated by the road design rather than high-speed cruising. Prepare for a more hands-on experience that requires you to stay alert through every change in direction.
98% 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: 98.3 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 165.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.3 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 Reidland, 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Reidland, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
