Francisville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY is 265 miles and takes about 5 hours via Western Kentucky Parkway and I-65, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so pack some audiobooks or podcasts for the longer stretches.
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
132.6 miles from Francisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
I 71
78.4 mi
1h 25m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
I 169
24.7 mi
26m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
North Bend Road
6.1 mi
9m
Burlington Pike
3 mi
4m
East 9th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
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 Francisville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on KY 237
0.5 mi·58 sec·North Bend Road
Use the left lane.
2
Enter roundabout onto KY 237
99 ft·1 sec·North Bend Road
3
Continue on KY 237
0.4 mi·43 sec·North Bend Road
4
Enter roundabout onto KY 237
107 ft·2 sec·North Bend Road
5
Continue on KY 237
5.1 mi·8 min·North Bend Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight
0.3 mi·50 sec
7
Continue on KY 18
3.0 mi·4 min·Burlington Pike
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
1.6 mi·3 min
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 71; I 75
6.9 mi·7 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
16
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
20
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
23
Continue on I 169
25 mi·26 min·I 169
Exit 106A
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
25
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
26
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi·29 sec·McLean Avenue
27
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
28
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft·13 sec·Bethel Street
29
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Francisville in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Hopkinsville with plenty of daylight. You'll want to make one stop to break up the 265 miles; consider timing it around the 98-mile mark on the Western Kentucky Parkway. With a fuel cost estimate of $47, it's wise to fill up before you leave Francisville to ensure you have enough for the entire trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
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 132.6 miles from Francisville, KY, or about 2h 35m 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 35m 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 7m
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 Francisville, 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 Francisville, KY
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Francisville, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 99.9 and 264 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
100.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
139.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
140.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
264 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
$39.15 one way
$78.30 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.22
$86.44
premium
$4.72
$49.22
$98.44
diesel
$4.80
$50.06
$100.11
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: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Francisville, KY
Late night
in Francisville on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night
in Hopkinsville on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 2 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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 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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 137.1
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 164.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 94% highway, so expect continuous cruising for most of the 265 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 98 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway. You'll transition to more rural driving as you approach your destination after spending significant time on interstates. Keep an eye out for the frequent exits as you navigate the main thoroughfares.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 99.9 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 22 significant decision points across 265.1 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 99.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
869 ft422 ft
Total Climb
487 ft
Total Descent
767 ft
Highest Point
869 ft
~18.9 mi in
Elevation Range
446 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Francisville, 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. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 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 98 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.9 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
