Oklahoma, KY to Van Lear, KY is 276 miles and takes about 5h 33m via Mountain Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region towards the Southeast region. With 89% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path for most of the 276 miles. Given the relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. It’s a straightforward drive that gets you where you need to go efficiently.
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
138 miles from Oklahoma, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mountain Parkway
76.7 mi
1h 22m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
KY 54
39.1 mi
1h 2m
Western Kentucky Parkway
29.6 mi
31m
I 64
18.2 mi
20m
New Paintsville Road
11.9 mi
13m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Mountain Parkway
— 76.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oklahoma, KY and Van Lear, KY.
1
Start on KY 764
1.5 mi·2 min·KY 764
2
Turn right onto KY 54
39 mi·1 hr 2 min·KY 54
3
Enter roundabout onto US 62; KY 259
42 ft·1 sec·Public Square
4
Continue on US 62; KY 259
78 ft·1 sec·Public Square
5
Turn slight right onto US 62; KY 259
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
7
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
30 mi·31 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
10
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
14
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
15
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
17
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
19
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
20
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
21
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·Mountain Parkway
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
23
Turn left onto US 460
0.9 mi·58 sec·Rock House Road
24
Continue on US 460
0.6 mi·43 sec·Wheeler Branch Road
25
Continue on US 460
12 mi·13 min·New Paintsville Road
26
Take the exit onto US 460
4.4 mi·5 min·US 460
27
Turn left onto KY 1428
1.2 mi·1 min·KY 1428
28
Turn right onto KY 302
2.8 mi·6 min·KY 302
29
Turn slight left onto Miller Creek Road
488 ft·21 sec·Miller Creek Road
30
Keep slight left at fork onto Possum Hollow Road
43 ft·1 sec·Possum Hollow Road
31
Arrive at destination
Possum Hollow Road
Trip Plan
For this 5h 33m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. Since it's a single-day trip with a fuel cost around $42, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 76.7 miles on the Mountain Parkway, so plan your refueling and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint or just before you transition to KY 54. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Van Lear, as services can be more spread out on the final leg.
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 138 miles from Oklahoma, KY, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.7 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 61 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138 miles or 2h 52m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Van Lear, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma, KY
This is one driving day of about 276 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Oklahoma, 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 Mountain Parkway for about 76.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.4 and 160.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
6
158.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|I 64
Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.89 one way
$91.78 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$49.98
$99.97
premium
$5.18
$56.32
$112.64
diesel
$5.35
$58.13
$116.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.98
$13.25
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.15
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.64
$17.66
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Oklahoma, KY
Afternoon
in Oklahoma on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Fog
ENE 1 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Van Lear, KY
Afternoon
in Van Lear on Wednesday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNW 1 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
5h 33m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 142.7
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 47.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend the vast majority of your time on highways, with 89% of the 276-mile trip on high-speed roads like the Mountain Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 76.7 miles on the Mountain Parkway, so expect some extended periods of cruising. The route transitions to surface roads, specifically KY 54, for the remaining portion of the drive. This means you'll experience a shift from highway speeds to more typical rural road conditions as you approach your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.7 mi on Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Mountain Parkway and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71.4 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 276 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 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,260 ft435 ft
Total Climb
1,291 ft
Total Descent
1,084 ft
Highest Point
1,260 ft
~216.8 mi in
Elevation Range
824 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oklahoma, KY and Van Lear, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, Ashland, Mountain Parkway East and Prestonsburg - among others.
Louisville
71.4 mi in|~1h 39m
Lexington
73.7 mi in|~1h 42m
Bardstown
73.7 mi in|~1h 42m
Ashland
158.7 mi in|~3h 19m
Mountain Parkway East
177.4 mi in|~3h 41m|via Mountain Parkway
Prestonsburg
177.4 mi in|~3h 41m|via Mountain Parkway
Campton
177.4 mi in|~3h 41m|via Mountain Parkway
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Oklahoma is a state in the Great Plains region of the United States of America. Oklahoma has a rich Native American past. There are all kinds of activities available from hunting, fishing, hiking, to gambling in one of the hundred or so casinos and bingo parlors, and metro activities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
Top landmarks
•Museum of Osteology — museum in Oklahoma
•Fort Gibson — fort in Oklahoma
•Antelope Hills, Oklahoma — mountain in United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 276 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.7 miles on Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Van Lear, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Van Lear, KY before the return drive.
