Origin
Louisville, KY
Morning in Louisville on Sunday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, KY to Oak Grove, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
113.4 mi
182 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Oak Grove, KY
Skyler Ewing
Trip Overview
This 113.4-mile drive from Louisville, KY to Oak Grove, KY is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical journey. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and zero highway share, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and communities rather than open interstates. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing any major geographical boundaries. This trip is best suited for those who prefer a more connected, in-the-moment driving experience over high-speed travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Louisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 61.4 mi | 1h 5m |
| I 65 | 43.8 mi | 49m |
| US Highway 231 | 5 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 505 | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| West Liberty Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Jefferson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 61.4 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Oak Grove, KY.
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
257 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto South 6th Street
284 ft
·
15 sec
·
South 6th Street
3
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Liberty Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn right onto South 1st Street
224 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 65
44 mi
·
49 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
10
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 75
Toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam
12
Turn left onto US 231
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 231
13
Turn left onto KY 505
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 505
14
Arrive at destination
KY 505
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 10-minute duration and 113.4-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive' with no highway time, plan for potential delays in more populated areas. The estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting out. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye out for convenient spots to stretch your legs or grab a quick refreshment as needed. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main road segments like South 6th Street, West Liberty Street, and South 1st Street before you leave to anticipate the frequent directional changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.7 miles from Louisville, KY, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.4 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Grove, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Louisville, 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 Louisville, KY
This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Louisville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Western Kentucky Parkway for about 61.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.7 miles from Louisville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 44.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Liberty Street
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 1st Street
Turn right onto South 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 65 South: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
8
44.6 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
44.8 mi into trip
|
~51m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.73 one way
$35.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.47 | $38.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.82 | $43.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.04 | $50.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Oak Grove, KY
Late night in Oak Grove on Sunday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
29 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
2h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 43
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park
National Park
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 74.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 113.4-mile journey, as the highway share is 0%. This means you'll be actively navigating through a series of local streets and roads, with South 6th Street, West Liberty Street, and South 1st Street forming key parts of your path. Without any significant highway stretches, the pace will be dictated by local traffic and intersections, offering a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch of driving without a significant turn or stop is not specified, suggesting a consistently varied route. You'll likely experience frequent changes in speed and direction as you traverse this route.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.4 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 65. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Liberty Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 113.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Louisville, KY and Oak Grove, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown and Beaver Dam.
Paducah
44.6 mi in
|
~51m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
44.8 mi in
|
~51m
Elizabethtown
45.1 mi in
|
~52m
Beaver Dam
106.8 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Louisville, KY
Full guide →Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is known for the Kentucky Derby horserace and as the "gateway to the south" from southern Indiana. It's a lively mid-sized city with an excellent dining scene, ample opportunities for bourbon tasting, and interesting public art. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball — the Louisville Slugger.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 113.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.4 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Oak Grove, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oak Grove, KY before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Oak Grove, KY
More trips to Oak Grove, KY
Explore more options from Louisville, KY or browse trips ending in Oak Grove, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.