Spanning 276.1 miles across Kentucky, this journey connects Hazard to Owensboro in approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay to complete the transit. You should budget roughly $42 for fuel to cover the distance, making this a relatively affordable trip. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the route is designed for efficiency rather than exploration. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Kentucky, the drive offers a consistent look at the state's interior landscape.
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
138 miles from Hazard, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Hal Rogers Parkway
91.2 mi
1h 46m
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
I 165
62.3 mi
1h 6m
I 65
16.5 mi
17m
KY 451
4.2 mi
7m
Veterans Memorial Lane
3.7 mi
5m
Fairview Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
East Parrish Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Hal Rogers Parkway
— 91.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,100 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,634
Quietest
2 AM
~357 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 26 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 Hazard, KY and Owensboro, KY.
1
Start on Laurel Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Laurel Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1762
0.2 mi·32 sec·L O Davis Drive
3
Turn left onto KY 15 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·Memorial Drive
4
Continue on KY 451
4.2 mi·7 min·KY 451
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward London
6
Merge onto Hal Rogers Parkway
91 mi·1 hr 46 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto KY 914
0.4 mi·34 sec·KY 914
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
9
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Cumberland Parkway
10
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi·19 sec·Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
11
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
12
Merge onto I 65
17 mi·17 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward KY 234: Bowling Green
14
Turn right onto KY 234
1.0 mi·1 min·Cemetery Road
15
Continue on KY 234
1.6 mi·2 min·Fairview Avenue
16
Continue on KY 234
0.8 mi·1 min·East 6th Avenue
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.7 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Lane
18
Turn right onto US 231
1.0 mi·1 min·Morgantown Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
20
Merge onto I 165
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 165
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 70AToward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
22
Merge onto US 60; US 231
0.8 mi·53 sec·Wendell Ford Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 18Toward KY 54
24
Turn left onto KY 54
260 ft·6 sec·Leitchfield Road
25
Continue on KY 54
1.3 mi·2 min·East Parrish Avenue
26
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Leitchfield Road
27
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East 5th Street
28
Turn right onto Frederica Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Frederica Street
29
Arrive at destination
Frederica Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop during the 5-hour and 19-minute transit to break up the time behind the wheel. Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning allows you to arrive in Owensboro with plenty of daylight remaining for your destination activities. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that initial 91.2-mile stretch on the Hal Rogers Parkway, as it is the longest segment of the route where service options may be more spread out. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace based on traffic conditions along the interstates. If you find yourself tiring, use the transition between the Cumberland Parkway and I-165 as a natural point to pull over and stretch.
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 138 miles from Hazard, KY, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138 miles or 2h 42m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Owensboro, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hazard, 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 Hazard, KY
This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Hazard, 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 Hal Rogers Parkway for about 91.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 271.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
4.8 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward London
Navigation decision point
Toward London
5
5 mi into trip|~9m in|Hal Rogers Parkway
Merge onto Hal Rogers Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
96.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Bowling Green
7
271.6 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70A
Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.77 one way
$81.55 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.01
$90.03
premium
$4.72
$51.26
$102.53
diesel
$4.80
$52.13
$104.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.99
$13.25
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.16
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.65
$17.67
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Hazard, KY
Late night
in Hazard on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
S 1 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:42PM CDT until July 17 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Destination
Owensboro, KY
Late night
in Owensboro on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 3 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:42PM CDT until July 17 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Louisville 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
5 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
5h 19m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 104.7
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 180.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 95% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a series of primary arteries including the Hal Rogers Parkway, the Cumberland Parkway, and I-165. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 91.2-mile run along the Hal Rogers Parkway, which helps maintain a steady pace. Overall, the trip features a reliable, highway-focused profile that prioritizes direct travel over technical or winding backroads. You can anticipate a predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you transition between these key parkways and interstates.
95% 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: 91.2 mi on Hal Rogers Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hal Rogers Parkway and Cumberland Parkway. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive.
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 276.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.2 miles (KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (Hal Rogers Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,233 ft394 ft
Total Climb
964 ft
Total Descent
1,509 ft
Highest Point
1,233 ft
~70 mi in
Elevation Range
839 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hazard, KY to Owensboro, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Bowling Green along the way.
Hazard is a city in Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country, county seat of Perry County and perhaps the quintessential Appalachian coal town. At the 2020 census the population was 5,263.
Owensboro is a town on the banks of the Ohio River in Kentucky's Western Coal Fields. It bills itself as the Barbecue Capital of the World and has had some interesting figures call it home over the years, such as Beulah Annan, whose story inspired the play and movie Chicago; Florence Henderson, aka Carol Brady of The Brady Bunch; NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip (as well as his brother Michael, also a longtime NASCAR driver); and Johnny Depp. On a darker note, it was also the site of the last public hanging in the United States, the subject being an African American, in 1936.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 276.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.2 miles on Hal Rogers Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Owensboro, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (Hal Rogers Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Owensboro, KY before the return drive.
