Spanning 339.8 miles across Kentucky, this journey takes you from Middlesboro in the southeast to the river city of Paducah in about 6 hours and 33 minutes. You will primarily utilize the Hal Rogers Parkway, the Cumberland Parkway, and I-24 to complete the transit. While it is certainly possible to tackle the trip in one day, be prepared for a substantial amount of time behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $52 for fuel will keep you moving efficiently throughout the drive. Because this route focuses heavily on major parkways and interstates, it serves as a reliable, direct path between these two distinct points in the state.
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
169.9 miles from Middlesboro, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
I 24
48.5 mi
52m
Hal Rogers Parkway
34.5 mi
41m
Riverview Avenue
30.7 mi
36m
US 68
27.3 mi
32m
I 65
21.4 mi
22m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
Hopkinsville Road
11.6 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,316 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,886
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
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 Middlesboro, KY and Paducah, KY.
1
Start on Lothbury Avenue
174 ft·10 sec·Lothbury Avenue
2
Turn right onto 21st Street
509 ft·29 sec·21st Street
3
Turn left onto KY 74
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cumberland Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 25E
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on US 25E
1.0 mi·1 min·Pineville Road
6
Continue on US 25E
10 mi·12 min·Wilderness Road
7
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Riverview Avenue
8
Continue on US 25E
1.9 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lexington
10
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward KY 80: Somerset, London
12
Keep slight left at fork
232 ft·9 sec
13
Turn left onto KY 80
35 mi·41 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto KY 914
0.4 mi·34 sec·KY 914
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
16
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·Cumberland Parkway
17
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi·19 sec·Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
18
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
19
Merge onto I 65
21 mi·22 min·I 65
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20A-BToward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, ScottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 20BToward I 165: Owensboro
22
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi·4 min·I 165
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 5Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
24
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
26
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
27
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
28
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
29
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
30
Continue on US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
31
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·54 sec·East 4th Street
32
Turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
129 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
33
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
227 ft·5 sec·West 4th Street
34
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·23 sec·West 4th Street
35
Continue on US 68 Business
7.9 mi·9 min·Hopkinsville Road
36
Continue on US 68; KY 80
26 mi·31 min·US 68; KY 80
37
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
38
Continue on US 68; KY 80; KY 109
1.3 mi·2 min·West 7th Street
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 68; KY 80
9.2 mi·11 min·Cadiz Road
40
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.6 mi·4 min·Hopkinsville Road
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 65Toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
42
Merge onto I 24
39 mi·42 min·I 24
43
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
44
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
45
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
46
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
47
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
48
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
49
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
50
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
51
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
52
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are covering a significant distance, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the more heavily traveled sections of I-24. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches, particularly when navigating the 86.2-mile segment on the Cumberland Parkway, where services may be more spaced out. Flexibility is your best asset on this one-day trip, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break before reaching the final leg of the drive.
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 169.9 miles from Middlesboro, KY, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 75 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.9 miles or 3h 15m 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 24m
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 Middlesboro, 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 Middlesboro, KY
This is one driving day of about 339.8 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Middlesboro, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 86.2 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 281.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 25E / 12th Street
Turn left onto US 25E / 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
201.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
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 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
201.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
206.8 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
8
281.7 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 65
Toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.18 one way
$100.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$55.40
$110.80
premium
$4.72
$63.09
$126.18
diesel
$4.80
$64.16
$128.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.9
1
$35.68
$16.31
Efficient EV
85
0
$29.73
$13.59
EV Truck/SUV
135.9
1
$47.57
$21.75
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 17, 2026
Origin
Middlesboro, KY
Night
in Middlesboro on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 1 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Paducah, KY
Night
in Paducah on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph41% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Greensburg, KY
170 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 33m 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.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 93.7
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 175.7
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 281.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your journey spent on high-speed corridors. You can expect a consistent pace as you transition between parkways and the interstate system. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 86.2-mile run along the Cumberland Parkway, which allows for steady cruising. While the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, the shift from the eastern parkways to the I-24 corridor provides a change in traffic density. Expect a straightforward experience that prioritizes reaching your destination steadily.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.2 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 25E / 12th Street.
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 29 significant decision points across 339.8 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 0.9 miles (US 25E / 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,166 ft340 ft
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
1,047 ft
Highest Point
1,166 ft
~48.5 mi in
Elevation Range
826 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middlesboro, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward London, Bowling Green, Scottsville and Cadiz.
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 33m. Total distance: 339.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.2 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 25E / 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
