Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Early in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15023501333
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
130.1 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nevada, KY
Stephan Müller
Oak Grove, KY
Skyler Ewing
This 130-mile drive from Nevada, KY to Oak Grove, KY will take you approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major parkways, with an estimated fuel cost of $20. This highway-focused journey stays within the Southeast region of Kentucky, offering a straightforward transit between the two points. Given its manageable length and efficient route, it’s an easy drive to complete in a single day without the need for an overnight stop. Plan for a smooth ride with minimal complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.1 miles from Nevada, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 61.4 mi | 1h 5m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| Springfield Road | 15.6 mi | 17m |
| US 150 | 15 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 231 | 5 mi | 7m |
| Perryville Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 505 | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| I 65 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Nevada, KY and Oak Grove, KY.
Start on Bugg Road
Turn right onto US 68
Turn right onto US 68; US 150; KY 52
Continue on US 150
Turn left onto US 150
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
Take the exit
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 231
Turn left onto KY 505
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 2 hour and 29-minute trip, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you near Oak Grove. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over when needed, but remember the longest stretch without a break is over 60 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $20 for the 130.1 miles. A practical tip for this route: since much of it is on parkways, ensure you have enough cash or a compatible toll transponder if any sections require it, as some parkways can have toll booths.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.1 miles or 1h 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 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Grove, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Nevada, 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 Nevada, KY
This is one driving day of about 130.1 miles and 2h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 65.1 miles from Nevada, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Bardstown, Kentucky
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15023501333
Cinco De Mayo Mexican Bar And Grill
Bardstown, Kentucky
Toogie's Table
Bardstown, Kentucky
Top Coffee Stop
Bardstown, Kentucky
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+15023316345
Early in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15023501333
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+15023501145
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+15022750891
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm
+15023489594
Early in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+15023316034
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+15023491963
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+15023488088
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12707692800
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bardstown, Kentucky
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+15023316345
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12707636175
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 123.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Bluegrass Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$20.34 one way
$40.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.33 | $44.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.04 | $50.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.72 | $57.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.33 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Nevada on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Oak Grove on Sunday
Local time
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 83% of this 130-mile journey. You'll navigate primarily via the Western Kentucky Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, which provide consistent driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.4 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing for extended periods of steady travel. While predominantly highway, the route includes Springfield Road, offering a slight shift in scenery and pace as you approach your destination. This blend ensures a predictable yet engaging drive.
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 35.2 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 130.1 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; at 61.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nevada, KY and Oak Grove, KY, road signs point toward Bluegrass Parkway West, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown and Beaver Dam.
Bluegrass Parkway West
Paducah
Western Kentucky Parkway West
Elizabethtown
Beaver Dam
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 130.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Nevada, KY or browse trips ending in Oak Grove, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.