Georgetown, KY to Madisonville, KY is 326.6 miles and takes about 6h 23m via Western Kentucky Parkway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Kentucky, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With nearly 80% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to most drivers. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits for a day trip.
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
163.3 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
Western Kentucky Parkway
97.7 mi
1h 44m
US 25E
34.4 mi
42m
I 75
29.5 mi
31m
Crab Orchard Road
29 mi
33m
US 119
29 mi
32m
Bluegrass Parkway
23.9 mi
25m
KY 38
19.6 mi
34m
Springfield Road
15.6 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,574 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,330
Quietest
2 AM
~351 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
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 Madisonville, 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
30 mi·31 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 25: Mount Vernon, Livingston
10
Keep slight left at fork
178 ft·5 sec
11
Turn left onto US 25
2.1 mi·3 min·South Daniel Boone Trail
12
Continue on US 150
29 mi·33 min·Crab Orchard Road
13
Continue on US 150
2.0 mi·2 min·Stanford Road
14
Turn straight onto US 150 Bypass
5.5 mi·6 min·South Danville Bypass
15
Turn left onto US 150; KY 52
7.7 mi·8 min·Perryville Road
16
Continue on US 150; KY 52
1.0 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
17
Continue on US 150
16 mi·17 min·Springfield Road
18
Turn left onto US 150
92 ft·1 sec·US 150
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
15 mi·17 min·US 150
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Bluegrass Parkway West
21
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
24 mi·25 min·Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
23
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
27
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 44 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 38CToward I 69 North: Henderson
29
Continue on I 169
0.3 mi·21 sec·I 169
30
Merge onto I 69
7.3 mi·7 min·I 69
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 114Toward KY 70: Madisonville, Central City
32
Keep slight left at fork
96 ft·4 sec
33
Turn left onto KY 70
457 ft·16 sec·Anton Road
34
Continue on KY 70
0.6 mi·1 min·East Center Street
35
Continue on KY 70
0.7 mi·1 min·East Arch Street
36
Turn left onto US 41; KY 70
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Main Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 41; KY 70
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 23m estimated drive time, departing Georgetown, KY in the morning will allow you to reach Madisonville, KY with ample daylight remaining. The route is primarily highway, so fuel stops should be manageable at regular intervals. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the 97.7-mile stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can be spaced out on some parkways. This is a comfortable one-day drive, so you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
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 163.3 miles from Georgetown, KY, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 163.3 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madisonville, 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 326.6 miles and 6h 23m.
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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 97.7 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 114 and 324.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
114 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 25: Mount Vernon, Livingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25: Mount Vernon, Livingston
8
218.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
218.5 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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...
6
218.7 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
6
324.9 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Take the exit toward KY 70: Madisonville, Central City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 114
Toward KY 70: Madisonville, Central City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.30 one way
$108.60 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$59.15
$118.30
premium
$5.18
$66.64
$133.29
diesel
$5.35
$68.79
$137.58
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: 114.3 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
98
1
$34.29
$15.68
Efficient EV
81.7
0
$28.58
$13.06
EV Truck/SUV
130.6
1
$45.72
$20.90
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 2, 2026
Origin
Georgetown, KY
Afternoon
in Georgetown on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
N 7 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 11:40AM CDT until June 2 at 6:07PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Madisonville, KY
Afternoon
in Madisonville on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
NE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 11:40AM CDT until June 2 at 6:07PM 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
3 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 23m 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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 45
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 214
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 146.4
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 247.8
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 123.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 79% of the miles on major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 97.7 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent exits as you navigate these primary arteries.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and US 25E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114 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 26 significant decision points across 326.6 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 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft437 ft
Total Climb
400 ft
Total Descent
1,540 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
Elevation Range
1,171 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 Madisonville, KY, road signs point toward Livingston, Bluegrass Parkway West, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 326.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Western Kentucky 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 Madisonville, 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 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Madisonville, KY before the return drive.
