Lawrenceburg, KY to Paducah, KY is 237.6 miles and takes about 4h 22m via Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive primarily stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region. It’s a straightforward trip that relies heavily on major parkways and interstates, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without many detours. Plan for a mostly highway experience, so pack accordingly for a smooth ride.
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
118.8 miles from Lawrenceburg, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
58.2 mi
1h 2m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 24
9.1 mi
9m
Old Frankfort Road
4.5 mi
5m
Kentucky Dam Road
2.5 mi
3m
Clarks River Road
2 mi
3m
Wayne Sullivan Drive
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.9 mi, about 1h 46m
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 Lawrenceburg, KY and Paducah, KY.
1
Start on US 127
95 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto KY 44; US 62 Truck
0.9 mi·1 min·West Woodford Street
3
Turn left onto US 127 Bypass; US 62 Truck
4.5 mi·5 min·Old Frankfort Road
4
Continue on US 127; KY 513
510 ft·10 sec·US 127; KY 513
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
6
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·Bluegrass Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
12
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
13
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
14
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
18
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
19
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
21
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
22
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
23
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
24
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
25
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning gives you plenty of time to reach Paducah before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.9-mile stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services might be less frequent than on other highways. The $37 fuel estimate is based on average prices, so check current rates before you depart. This is a manageable drive to complete in a single day, allowing for a relaxed start.
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 118.8 miles from Lawrenceburg, KY, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.9 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 52 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 32m
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 Lawrenceburg, 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 Lawrenceburg, KY
This is one driving day of about 237.6 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Lawrenceburg, 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.1 and 228.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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...
6
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
7
203.1 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
6
228.7 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.09 one way
$70.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.74
$77.47
premium
$4.72
$44.12
$88.23
diesel
$4.80
$44.86
$89.73
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: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.95
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.26
$15.21
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Lawrenceburg, KY
Late night
in Lawrenceburg on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:30PM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:14PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Destination
Paducah, KY
Late night
in Paducah on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
WSW 2 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:30PM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:14PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
87°F
Morgantown, KY
119 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
1 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
4h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 57.3
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 98.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 93% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained parkways and interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.9 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway. Expect a rural cruising feel for the majority of the drive, with fewer exits and more open road. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, so anticipate a consistent driving experience.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.9 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 237.6 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 66.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
787 ft340 ft
Total Climb
354 ft
Total Descent
801 ft
Highest Point
787 ft
Elevation Range
447 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lawrenceburg, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
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 4h 22m. Total distance: 237.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.9 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Paducah, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
