Origin
Henderson, KY
Night in Henderson on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Henderson, KY to Berea, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
221.7 mi
357 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 32m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 48m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henderson, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Berea, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 221.7-mile journey from Henderson, Kentucky, to Berea, Kentucky, a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes. This drive is primarily focused on highway travel, with 77% of the route utilizing major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-165. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive offers a straightforward path through the Southeast region of Kentucky, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
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
110.8 miles from Henderson, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 60.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 165 | 28.8 mi | 30m |
| US 150 | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| Audubon Parkway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Bardstown Road | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Richmond Road | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Cartersville Road | 7.6 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Henderson, KY and Berea, KY.
1
Start on this road
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Washington Street
3
Turn right onto US 60; US 41 Alt
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Green Street
4
Turn right onto KY 351
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
5
Keep slight left at fork onto KY 351
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
2nd Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
7
Merge onto I 69; US 41
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 69; US 41
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12
Toward Owensboro
9
Continue on Audubon Parkway
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Audubon Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 24A
Toward US 60 East: Hawesville
11
Merge onto US 60
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 17
Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
13
Continue on I 165
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 165
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 41A
Toward Elizabethtown
15
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Use the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
18
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
21
Take the exit onto US 31E Truck
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 31E Truck
Toward Bardstown
22
Turn right onto US 150
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Springfield Road
23
Continue on US 150
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bardstown Road
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 150
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 150
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 150
26
Turn right onto US 150; KY 52
430 ft
·
9 sec
·
Wilderness Road
27
Continue on US 150; KY 52
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Stanford Road
28
Turn left onto KY 52
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Lancaster Road
29
Continue on KY 52
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Danville Road
30
Continue on KY 52
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Richmond Road
31
Turn right onto KY 954
7.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Cartersville Road
32
Continue on KY 954
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Dogwood Drive
33
At end of road, turn right onto KY 21
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Paint Lick Road
34
Continue on KY 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 25; KY 21
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 23-minute duration, this 221.7-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, with only one suggested stop likely sufficient for a break. The estimated fuel cost of $35 makes budgeting straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 60.1-mile stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. Enjoy the efficiency of this predominantly highway route.
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 110.8 miles from Henderson, KY, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.1 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.8 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berea, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Henderson, 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 Henderson, KY
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Henderson, 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 60.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.8 miles from Henderson, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 125 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward Owensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 12
Toward Owensboro
5
26.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Hawesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 24A
Toward US 60 East: Hawesville
8
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
123.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.66 one way
$69.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.06 | $76.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.66 | $85.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| Efficient EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.04 | $14.19 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Berea, KY
Late night in Berea on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Bloomfield, KY
111 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 130
View on nps.gov
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 198.8
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
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 91.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, designed for efficient travel. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-165, covering 77% of the distance on these main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.1 miles along the Western Kentucky Parkway, offering a sustained period of cruising. While primarily highway, the inclusion of US 150 suggests a transition or connection that might offer a slightly different driving feel as you progress towards Berea.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.1 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 165. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 221.7 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 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Henderson, KY and Berea, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.
Elizabethtown
62.3 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Louisville
122.7 mi in
|
~2h 15m
Lexington
125 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Bardstown
125 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.1 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Berea, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.7 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, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Berea, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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