Maysville to Hopkinsville is 272.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 169, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Kentucky, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward, if not particularly varied, trip. Consider this route if you prioritize efficient travel time over winding scenic byways. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
136.3 miles from Maysville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
I 169
24.7 mi
26m
US 68
22.8 mi
27m
US 68 Business
17.2 mi
23m
Lexington Road
8.1 mi
9m
Paris Pike
5.9 mi
6m
West New Circle Road
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maysville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on KY 10
0.8 mi·1 min·Forest Avenue
2
Turn sharp left onto US 62; KY 10
2.9 mi·4 min·Coughlin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 62; US 68
1.7 mi·2 min·US 62; US 68
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 68 Business
17 mi·23 min·US 68 Business
5
Continue on US 68; KY 165
23 mi·27 min·US 68; KY 165
6
Continue on US 460; US 68 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto US 460; US 68 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Bank Row Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 27; US 68
6.8 mi·7 min·Lexington Road
10
Continue on US 27; US 68
5.9 mi·6 min·Paris Pike
11
Continue on US 27; US 68
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broadway
12
Turn right onto US KY4
5.8 mi·8 min·West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 60
4.5 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 60
1.3 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
19
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
23
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
26
Continue on I 169
25 mi·26 min·I 169
Exit 106A
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
28
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
29
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi·29 sec·McLean Avenue
30
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
31
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft·13 sec·Bethel Street
32
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated drive time, leaving Maysville in the morning will allow you to reach Hopkinsville well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Be mindful of fuel, especially during the 98-mile stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway, and plan your stops accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities in Maysville.
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 136.3 miles from Maysville, KY, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkinsville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maysville, 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 Maysville, KY
This is one driving day of about 272.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Maysville, 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 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 0.8 and 271.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|US 62; KY 10 / Coughlin Boulevard
Turn sharp left onto US 62; KY 10 / Coughlin Boulevard
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
67.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
147.7 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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...
8
271.6 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68, KY 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.27 one way
$80.54 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.46
$88.92
premium
$4.72
$50.63
$101.26
diesel
$4.80
$51.49
$102.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.63
$13.09
Efficient EV
68.2
0
$23.86
$10.91
EV Truck/SUV
109.1
1
$38.18
$17.45
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Maysville, KY
Late night
in Maysville on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night
in Hopkinsville on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:15PM CDT until July 18 at 1:15AM CDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 13m 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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 141.8
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
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 75.6
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 179.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 87% highway drive on this route, with the majority of your time spent on high-speed parkways. The Western Kentucky Parkway offers the longest uninterrupted stretch at 98 miles, providing a good opportunity for consistent progress. While primarily highway, the transition to I 169 means you'll experience a common shift in road type as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of steady, direct travel, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing along the way.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 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 Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 62; KY 10 / Coughlin Boulevard.
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 272.7 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 0.8 miles (US 62; KY 10 / Coughlin Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.5 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
929 ft419 ft
Total Climb
856 ft
Total Descent
862 ft
Highest Point
929 ft
~58.4 mi in
Elevation Range
510 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maysville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 272.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Hopkinsville, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 62; KY 10 / Coughlin Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.5 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hopkinsville, KY before the return drive.
