Morehead, KY to Georgetown, KY is 300.9 miles and takes about 6h 4m via Cumberland Parkway and I-165, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With 86% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct path. This is a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two points without needing to break it up over multiple days.
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
150.4 miles from Morehead, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
KY 80
33.8 mi
40m
I 165
33.2 mi
35m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
Western Kentucky Parkway
23.9 mi
25m
KY 38
19.7 mi
34m
Harlan Road
15.9 mi
18m
I 65
14.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,305 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,986
Quietest
2 AM
~354 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 Morehead, KY and Georgetown, KY.
1
Start on St-1122
0.5 mi·1 min·St-1122
2
Turn right onto St-1131
387 ft·18 sec·St-1131
3
Turn right onto St-1047
0.8 mi·3 min·St-1047
4
Turn left onto St-1065
0.9 mi·3 min·St-1065
5
Keep slight left at fork onto St-1065
480 ft·26 sec·St-1065
6
Turn left onto St-1067
168 ft·12 sec·St-1067
7
Turn left onto KY 181
0.3 mi·30 sec·KY 181
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
9
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
24 mi·25 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 77AToward I 165 South: Bowling Green
11
Merge onto I 165
33 mi·35 min·I 165
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
13
Turn left onto US 231
1.8 mi·2 min·Morgantown Road
14
Turn left onto Old Morgantown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Old Morgantown Road
15
Turn left onto US 68 Business
361 ft·8 sec·University Boulevard
16
Continue on US 68 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Kentucky Street
17
Continue on US 31W; US 68; KY 80
2.8 mi·4 min·Louisville Road
18
Turn right onto KY 446
0.7 mi·1 min·KY 446
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
20
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
22
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·Cumberland Parkway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
24
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
25
Turn left onto KY 80
34 mi·40 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
27
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
29
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
30
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
31
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
32
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
33
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
34
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
35
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft·9 sec·KY 38
36
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
91 ft·1 sec·KY 38
37
Continue on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
38
Arrive at destination
KY 38
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Morehead in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Georgetown with plenty of daylight. The route includes a significant highway portion, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 85.6-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway, as services might be less frequent. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The estimated fuel cost of $47 makes budgeting straightforward for this single-day trip.
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 150.4 miles from Morehead, KY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Georgetown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morehead, 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 Morehead, KY
This is one driving day of about 300.9 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Morehead, 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 85.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 216.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.4 mi into trip|~9m in|St-1067
Turn left onto St-1067
Navigation decision point
5
26.9 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
5
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Somerset, Glasgow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
6
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 86
Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
5
216.3 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.44 one way
$88.87 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.06
$98.11
premium
$4.72
$55.87
$111.74
diesel
$4.80
$56.82
$113.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.3
1
$31.59
$14.44
Efficient EV
75.2
0
$26.33
$12.04
EV Truck/SUV
120.4
1
$42.13
$19.26
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Morehead, KY
Night
in Morehead on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WSW 5 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Georgetown, KY
Night
in Georgetown on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 1 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:49PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
64°F
Williamsburg, KY
150 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
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
6h 4m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 259.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 86% of the 300.9 miles spent on high-speed roads like the Cumberland Parkway and I-165. You'll encounter a long stretch of 85.6 miles on the Cumberland Parkway, offering a chance for consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur after the majority of your highway driving is complete, leading into the final miles towards Georgetown.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.6 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and KY 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near St-1067.
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 27 significant decision points across 300.9 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 2.4 miles (St-1067): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft421 ft
Total Climb
1,536 ft
Total Descent
441 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
~300.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,188 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morehead, KY and Georgetown, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow, Burnside and Barbourville.
Morehead is a small city at the foot of the Kentucky Appalachians. The 2020 census puts the population as 7151. It is the home of Morehead State University, one Kentucky's seven public universities.
Top landmarks
•Downtown Morehead Historic District — historic district in Morehead, Kentucky
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 300.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Georgetown, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (St-1067): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Cumberland Gap 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Georgetown, KY before the return drive.
