Hopkinsville, KY to Stearns, KY is 208.1 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Cumberland Parkway and US Route 27, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's mostly on highways, offering a straightforward path between these two points. It's a manageable drive, perfect for a single day if you want to get to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.1 miles from Hopkinsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
Russellville Road
35.9 mi
42m
US Route 27
22.7 mi
25m
Interstate Highway 65
21.7 mi
23m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
KY 914
6 mi
7m
Jefferson Davis Highway
5.2 mi
5m
I 165
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 31m
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 Stearns, 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
6.0 mi·7 min·KY 914
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 27
3.9 mi·4 min·Burnside Road
28
Continue on US 27; KY 90
23 mi·25 min·US Route 27
29
Turn right onto KY 92
1.1 mi·1 min·Wilburn Ross Highway
30
Turn right onto KY 1651
0.2 mi·21 sec·KY 1651
31
Continue on this road
90 ft·11 sec·this road
32
Turn left
81 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3h 56m drive, leaving Hopkinsville in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Cumberland Parkway; services might become less frequent. Planning to fuel up before you leave the main highway sections is a good idea.
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 104.1 miles from Hopkinsville, KY, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 2h 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stearns, 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 208.1 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 85.6 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 17
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
$34.60 one way
$69.20 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$37.69
$75.37
premium
$5.18
$42.46
$84.93
diesel
$5.35
$43.83
$87.66
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: 72.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.4
0
$21.85
$9.99
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.21
$8.32
EV Truck/SUV
83.2
1
$29.13
$13.32
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Afternoon
in Hopkinsville on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 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
Stearns, KY
Evening
in Stearns on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NE 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
86°F
Greensburg, KY
104 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
2 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
3h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 172.3
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 86.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 68% of it on faster roads. You'll experience an 85.6-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, which means long, uninterrupted cruising. After the highway portions, expect a shift to surface roads as you approach Stearns. Pay attention to the transition; the nature of the road changes noticeably.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.6 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and Russellville Road. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 miles in near US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street.
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 208.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 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
1,354 ft533 ft
Total Climb
1,189 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
1,354 ft
~208.1 mi in
Elevation Range
821 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 Stearns, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 208.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Stearns, 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 5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Stearns, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
