Mayfield, KY to Florence, KY is 312.9 miles and takes about 5h 44m via Western Kentucky Parkway and I-71, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward drive. If you're looking for a direct connection between these two points with minimal fuss, this is a solid option for a single-day trip.
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
156.5 miles from Mayfield, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
I 69
80.8 mi
1h 27m
I 71
78.8 mi
1h 25m
I 65
37.9 mi
41m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
North 7th Street
1.5 mi
2m
US 42
1.1 mi
1m
Paducah Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-264
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,751 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~427 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Mayfield, KY and Florence, KY.
1
Start on KY 58; KY 80 Business; KY 121 Business
272 ft·13 sec·West Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto US 45; KY 121 Business
0.5 mi·46 sec·North 7th Street
3
Continue on US 45; KY 121 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·Paducah Road
4
Continue on US 45; KY 121 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·North 7th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
6
Merge onto I 69
26 mi·27 min·I 69
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
17 mi·17 min·I 69
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
8
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13
Merge onto I 65
38 mi·41 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·58 sec
Exit 131-AToward I 264: Watterson Expressway, AirportUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131AToward I 264 East: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 264
10 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 23AToward I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
7.8 mi·8 min·I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 180Toward US 42, US 127: Union, FlorenceUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
244 ft·4 sec·US 42; US 127
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 42; US 127
1.1 mi·1 min·US 42; US 127
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto Main Street
28 ft·0 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 44m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic. With a fuel cost estimated around $50, it's an economical trip. You'll have one main stretch of 99.2 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway before hitting more varied highway segments, so plan any stops before or after this long stretch. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but be aware of the increasing number of exits as you near Florence.
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 156.5 miles from Mayfield, KY, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 69 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.5 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mayfield, 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 Mayfield, KY
This is one driving day of about 312.9 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Mayfield, 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 99.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.8 and 232.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
182 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
220.8 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
8
221.5 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
8
232.3 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.21 one way
$92.42 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.01
$102.03
premium
$4.72
$58.10
$116.19
diesel
$4.80
$59.08
$118.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.85
$15.02
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.38
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.81
$20.03
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Mayfield, KY
Evening
in Mayfield on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
N 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 12 at 2:39PM EDT until July 13 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY
Destination
Florence, KY
Night
in Florence on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Morgantown, KY
156 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
11 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
5h 44m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 183.4
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 151.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 98% of this 312.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 99.2 miles, primarily on the Western Kentucky Parkway. Expect frequent exits and traffic merging as you approach and pass through more populated areas, particularly as you get closer to Florence.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 82.8 miles in near Western Kentucky Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 312.9 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 82.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
928 ft394 ft
Total Climb
1,002 ft
Total Descent
550 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~314.3 mi in
Elevation Range
534 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mayfield, KY and Florence, KY, road signs point toward Henderson, Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Airport.
Florence is a city of 33,000 people (2019) in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region, near Cincinnati. Florence is well known in surrounding cities for a water tower visible from I-71/I-75 that reads "Florence Y'all".
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 312.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m 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 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Florence, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.8 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 and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Florence, KY before the return drive.
