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Trip from Ironville, KY to Paducah, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 57m

Distance

370.6 mi

596 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 46m ★
6 AM
6h 58m
8 AM
7h 21m
10 AM
7h 6m
12 PM
7h 3m
3 PM
7h 7m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village and civil parish in Amber Valley district, Derbyshire, England, UK

Ironville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Paducah, KY, KY

Paducah, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 370.6-mile journey from Ironville, KY to Paducah, KY is a straightforward drive, estimated to take around 6 hours and 57 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-64 and the Western Kentucky Parkway, this route is heavily highway-focused at 93% paved roads, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, it's an economical option for a single day's travel. The drive traverses the Southeast region of Kentucky, offering a consistent experience for most of its duration. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to break up the longest stretch.

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

185.3 miles from Ironville, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 101.7 mi 1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway 98.9 mi 1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway 70.6 mi 1h 15m
I 69 53.6 mi 57m
I 24 9.1 mi 9m
West New Circle Road 5.8 mi 8m
US Route 60 4.6 mi 7m
Versailles Road 4.5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ironville, KY and Paducah, KY.

1

Start on Tiffany Drive

382 ft · 16 sec · Tiffany Drive
2

Continue on Brett Street

524 ft · 28 sec · Brett Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Pine Street

157 ft · 7 sec · Pine Street
4

Turn left onto KY 766

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Donta Road
5

Turn right onto KY 766

94 ft · 3 sec · KY 766
6

Continue on KY 766

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Roberts Drive
7

Turn left onto KY 766

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bob McCullough Drive
8

Turn right onto US 60

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 13th Street
9

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 7 min · US Route 60
10

Turn right onto US 60

3.6 mi · 5 min · US 60
11

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
12

Merge onto I 64

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 64
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

2.4 mi · 3 min · I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto US 27; US 68

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Broadway
16

Turn right onto US KY4

5.8 mi · 8 min · West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto US 60

4.5 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on US 60

1.3 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road
20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
21

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
23

Merge onto I 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 65
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
26

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
27

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

98 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
28

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

0.8 mi · 54 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
29

Merge onto I 69

37 mi · 40 min · I 69
30

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

16 mi · 17 min · I 69
Exit 68B Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
31

Keep slight right at fork onto I 24

9.1 mi · 9 min · I 24
32

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 16 Toward US 68: Paducah
33

Keep slight right at fork

131 ft · 3 sec
Exit 16 Toward US 68: Paducah
34

Turn right onto US 68

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 68
35

At end of road, turn left onto US 62

2.5 mi · 3 min · Kentucky Dam Road
36

Continue on US 60; US 62

2.0 mi · 3 min · Clarks River Road
37

Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business

1.7 mi · 2 min · Wayne Sullivan Drive
38

Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business

1.4 mi · 2 min · South 3rd Street
39

Turn left onto Washington Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
40

Arrive at destination

Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 57-minute duration, starting your drive from Ironville early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable arrival in Paducah. With a single recommended stop, plan this break strategically to coincide with the longest stretch on I-64 to break up the driving. The estimated fuel cost of $56 suggests you'll want to ensure your tank is full before departing and consider a refueling stop along the way, especially given the 101.7-mile longest stretch. This is a route where efficiency is key, so pack snacks and entertainment to make the most of your time on the road.

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 185.3 miles from Ironville, KY, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 82 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 185.3 miles or 3h 32m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paducah, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ironville, 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 Ironville, KY

This is one driving day of about 370.6 miles and 6h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Ironville, 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 I 64 for about 101.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Heritage Creek, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Heritage Creek, KY

185 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

Richmond, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Heritage Creek, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 185.3 miles from Ironville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Branch Out

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paducah, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 370.6

Hours: 8 am–5:30 pm

+12704437028

Visit website

Stella's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paducah, Kentucky

0.4 mi

Kitchens Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paducah, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Hub Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mt Sterling, Kentucky

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.4

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18595850406

The Hub Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mt Sterling, Kentucky

3 mi

Branch Out

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 370.6

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5:30 pm

+12704437028

Visit website

Stella's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 370.6

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12705345123

Visit website

Kitchens Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 370.6

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: Closed

+12705343907

Visit website

Artisan Kitchen

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 370.6

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12705380250

Visit website

Root-A-Bakers Bakery & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.9

Morehead, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+16067804282

Visit website

M & J Cafe and Food Truck

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16063270001

Visit website

China Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.9

Morehead, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16067842388

Brown's Hometown Market

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 344.1

Grand Rivers, Kentucky

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+12709283305

Visit website

The Hub Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.4

Mt Sterling, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18595850406

The Hub Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.4

Mt Sterling, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

The Amsden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132.4

Versailles, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18594232969

Visit website

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16063298888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 112.2 and 336.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
112.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington

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 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
7
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
199.1 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway

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 91C-A Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
199.3 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
7
336.1 mi into trip | ~6h 16m in | I 69

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 68B Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.94 one way

$115.88 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $63.61 $127.23
premium $4.89 $71.32 $142.64
diesel $5.61 $81.82 $163.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 111.2 1 $38.91 $17.79
Efficient EV 92.7 1 $32.43 $14.82
EV Truck/SUV 148.2 1 $51.88 $23.72

Gas CO2

130 kg

EV CO2

43 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ironville, KY

Night in Ironville on Saturday

Local time

9:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Paducah, KY

Evening in Paducah on Saturday

Local time

8:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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

6h 57m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of the drive on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.7 miles on I-64, offering a good opportunity to cover ground efficiently. While the Bluegrass and Western Kentucky Parkways provide a slightly different feel than the interstate, the overall character remains one of steady forward progress. This drive prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, rather than offering winding scenic byways.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.7 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 29 significant decision points across 370.6 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 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.1 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.

Between Ironville, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown and Western Kentucky Parkway West.

Cincinnati

109.8 mi in | ~2h 4m | via I 64

Lexington

112.2 mi in | ~2h 8m

Elizabethtown

125.8 mi in | ~2h 28m

Western Kentucky Parkway West

199.3 mi in | ~3h 48m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 370.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.7 miles on I 64. 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 Paducah, 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 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Paducah, KY before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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