Spanning 325.9 miles across Kentucky, this journey from Georgetown to Cadiz takes approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes of travel time. While it is theoretically possible to complete this trip in a single day, the route is quite demanding and requires your full attention behind the wheel. You should budget about $50 for fuel to cover the distance between these two southeastern Kentucky locations. Because the drive is turn-heavy and localized, it feels more like a dedicated expedition than a quick commute. Whether you choose to power through in one sitting or break it up depends on your stamina for winding roads. Expect a practical, no-frills experience that connects the heart of the state to the western 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
163 miles from Georgetown, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
Hal Rogers Parkway
34.5 mi
41m
US 25E
34.4 mi
42m
US 119
29 mi
32m
US 68
26.4 mi
31m
I 65
21.4 mi
22m
KY 38
19.6 mi
34m
Hopkinsville Road
15.3 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,378 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,028
Quietest
2 AM
~354 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
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 Georgetown, KY and Cadiz, KY.
1
Start on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
2
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
89 ft·1 sec·KY 38
3
Continue on KY 38
345 ft·10 sec·KY 38
4
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
5
Turn left onto US 119
29 mi·32 min·US 119
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 25E
34 mi·42 min·US 25E
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lexington
8
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward KY 80: Somerset, London
10
Keep slight left at fork
232 ft·9 sec
11
Turn left onto KY 80
35 mi·41 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto KY 914
0.4 mi·34 sec·KY 914
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
14
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Cumberland Parkway
15
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi·19 sec·Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
16
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
17
Merge onto I 65
21 mi·22 min·I 65
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20A-BToward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, ScottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 20BToward I 165: Owensboro
20
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi·4 min·I 165
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 5Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
22
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
24
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
25
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
26
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
27
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
28
Continue on US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
29
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·54 sec·East 4th Street
30
Turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
129 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
31
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
227 ft·5 sec·West 4th Street
32
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·23 sec·West 4th Street
33
Continue on US 68 Business
7.9 mi·9 min·Hopkinsville Road
34
Continue on US 68; KY 80
26 mi·31 min·US 68; KY 80
35
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
36
Continue on US 68; KY 80; KY 109
1.3 mi·2 min·West 7th Street
37
Keep slight left at fork onto US 68; KY 80
9.2 mi·11 min·Cadiz Road
38
Continue on US 68; KY 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Hopkinsville Road
39
Turn right onto US 68 Business
375 ft·7 sec·Merchant Street
40
Continue on US 68 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
41
Turn right onto Brown Street
291 ft·8 sec·Brown Street
42
Turn right onto KY 139
243 ft·4 sec·Jefferson Street
43
Arrive at destination
KY 139
Trip Plan
Since this route is a technical, turn-heavy drive, planning your departure for early morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. With only one recommended stop, you should aim to pace yourself effectively to maintain concentration during the 6-hour and 30-minute duration. Keep a close watch on your fuel levels, as the $50 budget may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's performance on these winding local roads. Flexibility is a major advantage here, so do not hesitate to pull over if you find the local turns becoming repetitive. A concrete tip for this route: prioritize hydration and frequent posture checks, as the constant steering input required by the local road profile is more physically taxing than standard interstate driving.
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 163 miles from Georgetown, KY, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 72 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 22m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cadiz, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, KY
This is one driving day of about 325.9 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Georgetown, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 86.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.8 and 245 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
95.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward KY 80: Somerset, London
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 80: Somerset, London
5
95.9 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
239.9 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
240.1 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
245 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.18 one way
$108.37 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$59.02
$118.04
premium
$5.18
$66.50
$133.00
diesel
$5.35
$68.64
$137.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.22
$15.64
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.52
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.63
$20.86
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Georgetown, KY
Afternoon
in Georgetown on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 2 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Cadiz, KY
Afternoon
in Cadiz on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
85°F
Berea, KY
163 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
4 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 30m 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.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 134.9
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 325.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from standard interstate monotony, as this trip is defined by its turn-heavy, local profile rather than high-speed highway cruising. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including I-75 North and KY 80, which shift the character of the drive significantly as you progress. With a 0% highway share, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand constant focus rather than cruising on cruise control. This transition from major interstates to local corridors creates a technical driving environment that keeps you engaged. Prepare for a hands-on experience where the road surface and curvature change frequently throughout the 325.9-mile trek.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.2 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and Hal Rogers Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 325.9 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 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 239.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft419 ft
Total Climb
510 ft
Total Descent
1,700 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
Elevation Range
1,190 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Georgetown, KY and Cadiz, KY, road signs point toward London, Bowling Green and Scottsville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 325.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.2 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Cadiz, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 239.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cadiz, KY before the return drive.
