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
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,181 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,565
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 16 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 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 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse 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 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse 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-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward 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 68BToward 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 16Toward US 68: Paducah
33
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward 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.
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
$54.73 one way
$109.46 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$60.42
$120.84
premium
$4.72
$68.81
$137.62
diesel
$4.80
$69.98
$139.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 14, 2026
Origin
Ironville, KY
Night
in Ironville on Saturday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Paducah, KY
Night
in Paducah on Saturday
Local time
9:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Greensburg, KY
185 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer 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.
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 191.7
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 127.8
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 230
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort9/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,008 ft337 ft
Total Climb
621 ft
Total Descent
994 ft
Highest Point
1,008 ft
~105.9 mi in
Elevation Range
671 ft
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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Paducah is a small city on the Ohio River about midway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee. The county seat of McCracken County and the largest city in the Jackson Purchase area of western Kentucky, Paducah has a booming riverfront restaurant trade and arts scene in part driven by the city's artist relocation program which offers interest-free housing loans and other subsidies for established artists willing to relocate. Paducah is the hometown of humorist Irvin Cobb and former Vice President Alben Barkley (who served under President Harry S. Truman). Fans of contemporary Christian music will know it as the hometown of Steven Curtis Chapman, one of that genre's most iconic artists.
Top landmarks
•Lloyd Tilghman Memorial — sculpture
•Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Paducah, Kentucky
•Paducah Freight House — railway station in Paducah, the United States of America
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.
Yes — we found about 14 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 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
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.
