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Trip from Mount Washington, KY to Henderson, KY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

158.1 mi

254 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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highest mountain in the U.S. state of New Hampshire

Mount Washington, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Henderson County, Kentucky, United States

Henderson, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 158.1-mile drive from Mount Washington, KY, to Henderson, KY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 2 minutes. Given its manageable duration and the 91% highway share, it's an ideal one-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll be spending most of your time on the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-165, with a brief segment on the Kentucky Turnpike. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24, making it an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Kentucky. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79 miles from Mount Washington, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway 59.1 mi 1h 3m
I 165 28.2 mi 30m
Kentucky Turnpike 24.6 mi 26m
Audubon Parkway 23.2 mi 24m
Old Mill Road 8.5 mi 15m
Wendell Ford Expressway 6.3 mi 7m
2nd Street 1.4 mi 2m
Highway 44 East 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Western Kentucky Parkway — 59.1 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Washington, KY and Henderson, KY.

1

Start on this road

72 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right

135 ft · 15 sec
3

Turn left onto US 31EX

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Bardstown Road
4

Turn right onto KY 44

8.5 mi · 15 min · Old Mill Road
5

Continue on KY 44

1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 44 East
6

Continue on KY 44

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East 4th Street
7

Turn left

0.3 mi · 37 sec
8

Merge onto I 65

25 mi · 26 min · Kentucky Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

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.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
12

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 77A Toward I 165 North: Owensboro
14

Merge onto I 165

28 mi · 30 min · I 165
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 70B Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
16

Merge onto US 60; US 231

6.3 mi · 7 min · Wendell Ford Expressway
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Exit 10 Toward Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
18

Continue on Audubon Parkway

23 mi · 24 min · Audubon Parkway
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward US 41 North: Henderson
20

Merge onto I 69; US41

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 69; US41
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 48 sec
Exit 14 Toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson
22

Turn slight right onto KY 351

1.4 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street
23

Turn left onto US 60; US 41 Alt

0.3 mi · 42 sec · North Green Street
24

Turn left onto Washington Street

213 ft · 10 sec · Washington Street
25

Turn left

98 ft · 7 sec
26

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 158.1-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only an estimated $24 in fuel costs and a 91% highway share, you won't need many stops, but it's wise to take advantage of services on the Western Kentucky Parkway or I-165 when you see them. The longest stretch without services could be the 59.1 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, so planning your fuel and rest breaks around that is a good idea. Since this is a comfortable one-day drive, you have the freedom to adjust your schedule as needed.

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 79 miles from Mount Washington, KY, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 35 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79 miles or 1h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Henderson, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mount Washington, 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 Mount Washington, KY

This is one driving day of about 158.1 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Mount Washington, 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 59.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hardinsburg, KY

79 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

Elizabethtown, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oak Grove, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79 miles from Mount Washington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Antler Specialty Goods

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henderson, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 13min in 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+15029210075

Visit website

Sidewalk Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Henderson, Kentucky

0.3 mi

The Cottage Farm Stand

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owensboro, Kentucky

0.4 mi

Antler Specialty Goods

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Henderson, Kentucky

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12709867900

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12707655525

Visit website

El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15025434024

Eastgate Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12708262654

Visit website

Dairiette Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Henderson, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12708262401

Visit website

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12705063819

Visit website

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+15029210075

Visit website

Sidewalk Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Henderson, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12708312233

The Cottage Farm Stand

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12707947040

Visit website

Libertalia Coffee & Bagels

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12702157759

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Jolie Carre - World Cafe (fka Boujie Biscuit)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–6:30 pm

+12705704550

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 156.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
35.2 mi into trip | ~45m 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
35.4 mi into trip | ~45m 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...
6
35.7 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
7
124 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 70B Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
6
156.1 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 14 Toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.72 one way

$49.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.14 $54.28
premium $4.89 $30.42 $60.85
diesel $5.61 $34.91 $69.81

Estimated Tolls: $1.72

Kentucky Turnpike (24.6 mi) $1.72

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.4 0 $16.60 $7.59
Efficient EV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32
EV Truck/SUV 63.2 0 $22.13 $10.12

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Mount Washington, KY

Late night in Mount Washington on Tuesday

Local time

4:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Henderson, KY

Late night in Henderson on Tuesday

Local time

3:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°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

18 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

3h 2m 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

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 ~31 min detour Free near mile 32.7
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 65.4
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 predominantly highway experience on this 158.1-mile route, with 91% of the drive taking place on major roadways like the Western Kentucky Parkway and I-165. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.1 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, offering a chance to settle in for a solid period of driving. This highway-focused profile suggests a journey characterized by consistent speed and minimal local road detours. While the landscape isn't specifically detailed, the nature of these parkways often allows for a steady pace, making it a predictable and efficient drive.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.1 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 165. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 20 significant decision points across 158.1 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 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Mount Washington, KY and Henderson, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown and Audubon Parkway West: Henderson.

Paducah

35.2 mi in | ~45m

Western Kentucky Parkway West

35.4 mi in | ~45m

Elizabethtown

35.7 mi in | ~46m

Audubon Parkway West: Henderson

131 mi in | ~2h 30m

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Washington, KY

Full guide →

Mount Washington is a small town in the Kentucky Derby region of Kentucky, which used to be a popular resting place in the 1800s. It is in the northern part of the state near Louisville and the population is rising quickly. There is not much to do in Mt. Washington, however there are a few things you can stop and look at as you pass through.

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 3h 2m. Total distance: 158.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.1 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.72 in tolls one way, starting with Kentucky Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Henderson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Henderson, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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