Hopkinsville, KY to Whitley City, KY is 205.7 miles and takes about 3h 52m via Cumberland Parkway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Kentucky, moving from the western part of the state towards the southeast. With most of your travel on highways, it’s a direct route that should get you to your destination efficiently. Plan for a single-day trip, as the driving time is manageable. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained parkways and interstates.
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
102.9 miles from Hopkinsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
Russellville Road
35.9 mi
42m
Interstate Highway 65
21.7 mi
23m
US Route 27
21.4 mi
24m
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 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,310 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,020
Quietest
2 AM
~362 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 101 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 Whitley City, 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
21 mi·24 min·US Route 27
29
Turn right onto KY 478
0.2 mi·19 sec·Williamsburg Street
30
Arrive at destination
KY 478
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 3-hour 52-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving Hopkinsville in the morning allows ample time to reach Whitley City before evening. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is 85.6 miles on the Cumberland Parkway, ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause if needed, especially given the manageable duration. Keep your fuel budget around $36 for this trip.
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 102.9 miles from Hopkinsville, KY, or about 1h 59m 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 1h 59m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitley City, 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 205.7 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 14
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
$34.31 one way
$68.63 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$37.29
$74.59
premium
$5.26
$42.59
$85.18
diesel
$6.18
$50.04
$100.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night
in Hopkinsville on Monday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
ESE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Destination
Whitley City, KY
Late night
in Whitley City on Monday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
E 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 18 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
43°F
Greensburg, KY
103 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
6 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 52m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 170.2
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 85.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 68% of the 205.7 miles being on major roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 85.6 miles on the Cumberland Parkway, offering a good period of consistent cruising. Expect a transition from surface roads to the highway system early in your trip. The latter part of your drive will likely involve more rural sections as you approach Whitley City, so keep an eye out for changing speed limits and fewer services.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 14 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 205.7 miles you will encounter 14 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
1,360 ft518 ft
Total Climb
1,215 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
1,360 ft
~205.7 mi in
Elevation Range
842 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 Whitley City, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 205.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m 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.
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 Whitley City, 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 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 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Whitley City, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
