Hopkinsville to Pikeville is 325.5 miles and takes about 6h 17m via KY 80 and Cumberland Parkway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given it's mostly highway, you can expect a relatively straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient, single-day trip across the state.
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
162.7 miles from Hopkinsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
KY 80
124.8 mi
2h 25m
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
Russellville Road
35.9 mi
42m
Interstate Highway 65
21.7 mi
23m
KY 680
15.2 mi
22m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
US 23
8.9 mi
10m
Jefferson Davis Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
KY 80
— 124.8 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,316 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,886
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
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 Hopkinsville, KY and Pikeville, KY.
1
Start on Bethel Street
301 ft·17 sec·Bethel Street
2
Turn right onto US 68; KY 80; KY 109
0.6 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
3
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi·1 min·McLean Avenue
4
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.9 mi·10 min·Russellville Road
5
Continue on US 68; KY 80
5.2 mi·5 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
6
Continue on US 68; KY 80
19 mi·22 min·Russellville Road
7
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·West 4th Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
231 ft·7 sec·West 4th Street
9
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
72 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
10
Turn right onto US 68 Business
0.6 mi·55 sec·East 4th Street
11
Turn right onto US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
12
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
13
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
14
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
15
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
16
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.0 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 165 South
19
Merge onto I 165
4.8 mi·5 min·I 165
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 1AToward I 65 North: Louisville
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
22
Merge onto I 65
22 mi·23 min·Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
24
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·Cumberland Parkway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
26
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
27
Turn left onto KY 80
125 mi·2 hr 25 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto KY 680
15 mi·22 min·KY 680
29
Take the ramp
175 ft·5 sec
30
Merge onto US 23; US 460; KY 80
8.9 mi·10 min·US 23; US 460; KY 80
31
Turn right onto KY 1460
219 ft·6 sec·KY 1460
32
At end of road, turn left onto KY 1460
0.7 mi·59 sec·North Mayo Trail
33
Turn right onto KY 1384
0.2 mi·23 sec·Loraine Street
34
Turn left onto Hambley Boulevard
1.1 mi·1 min·Hambley Boulevard
35
Turn left onto Division Street
267 ft·8 sec·Division Street
36
Turn right onto 2nd Street
309 ft·8 sec·2nd Street
37
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Hopkinsville in the morning should give you ample time to reach Pikeville before sunset, as the drive is estimated at just over 6 hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the Cumberland Parkway, as services might become less frequent. The longest stretch on KY 80 is nearly 125 miles, so plan a break before you hit that segment if needed.
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 162.7 miles from Hopkinsville, KY, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.8 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.7 miles or 3h 3m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pikeville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hopkinsville, 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 Hopkinsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 325.5 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Hopkinsville, 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 KY 80 for about 124.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.3 and 173.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35.3 mi into trip|~42m in|US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
65 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
5
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
5
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 65 / Interstate Highway 65
Merge onto I 65 / Interstate Highway 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
173.9 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 86
Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.12 one way
$108.24 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$58.95
$117.90
premium
$5.18
$66.42
$132.84
diesel
$5.35
$68.56
$137.12
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: 113.9 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
97.7
1
$34.18
$15.62
Efficient EV
81.4
0
$28.48
$13.02
EV Truck/SUV
130.2
1
$45.57
$20.83
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
Hopkinsville, KY
Evening
in Hopkinsville on Wednesday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
ENE 6 to 13 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Pikeville, KY
Evening
in Pikeville on Wednesday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NNE 2 to 7 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 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 later
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
6h 17m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 168.3
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 89.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Eighty percent of this drive is on the highway, meaning you'll spend a good amount of time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 124.8 miles on KY 80. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination.
80% 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: 124.8 mi on KY 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KY 80 and Cumberland Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 miles in near US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 325.5 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 35.3 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,252 ft531 ft
Total Climb
1,143 ft
Total Descent
1,002 ft
Highest Point
1,252 ft
~209.2 mi in
Elevation Range
721 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hopkinsville, KY and Pikeville, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Somerset
87.8 mi in|~1h 42m
Glasgow
87.8 mi in|~1h 42m
Burnside
173.9 mi in|~3h 15m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 325.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.8 miles on KY 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Pikeville, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.3 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pikeville, KY before the return drive.
