Embark on a 336.6-mile journey from Florence, Kentucky, to Clinton, Kentucky, a drive that will take approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the travel on major roads like I-71, I-69, and the Western Kentucky Parkway. Given its duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure. You can expect a fuel cost of around $53 for this trip. Traveling within the Southeast region of the US, this drive offers a straightforward path through the state.
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
168.3 miles from Florence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
I 69
91.8 mi
1h 38m
I 71
78.4 mi
1h 25m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
KY 58
12 mi
21m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
KY 339
2.2 mi
3m
US 42
1.3 mi
2m
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 Florence, KY and Clinton, KY.
1
Start on Main Street
28 ft·3 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
1.1 mi·1 min·US 42; US 127
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 42; US 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 42; US 127
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the left 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 left at fork onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 25A
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 14Toward KY 339: Wingo, Clinton
22
Turn left onto KY 339
2.2 mi·3 min·KY 339
23
At end of road, turn left onto KY 58; KY 339
12 mi·21 min·KY 58; KY 339
24
Turn right onto US 51; KY 58
0.1 mi·24 sec·South Washington Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 51
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 6 hours and 20 minutes, starting your drive from Florence early in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Clinton with plenty of daylight. The route has a recommended single stop, so plan to stretch your legs and refuel midway. Given the longest stretch of 98.9 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is $53, so budget accordingly for this efficient, highway-centric trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.3 miles from Florence, KY, or about 3h 8m 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 74 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.3 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, KY
This is one driving day of about 336.6 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Florence, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 130.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louis...
8
90.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
130.6 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
130.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
$49.71 one way
$99.42 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$54.88
$109.75
premium
$4.72
$62.50
$124.99
diesel
$4.80
$63.56
$127.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101
1
$35.34
$16.16
Efficient EV
84.2
0
$29.45
$13.46
EV Truck/SUV
134.6
1
$47.12
$21.54
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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
Florence, KY
Night
in Florence on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Areas Of Smoke then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clinton, KY
Evening
in Clinton on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 3 to 8 mph30% chanceLive 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
1 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
6h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 127.7
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 162.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive, covering 99% on major roads, offers a consistent pace for most of its 336.6 miles. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Western Kentucky Parkway, including a longest stretch of 98.9 miles without needing to exit. While predominantly interstate and parkway travel, the route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours. Expect a smooth, albeit predictable, driving experience as you make your way across Kentucky.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 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 19 significant decision points across 336.6 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft375 ft
Total Climb
527 ft
Total Descent
1,079 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
Elevation Range
552 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florence, KY and Clinton, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Florence is a city of 33,000 people (2019) in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region, near Cincinnati. Florence is well known in surrounding cities for a water tower visible from I-71/I-75 that reads "Florence Y'all".
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 336.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 Clinton, 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clinton, KY before the return drive.
