Olive Hill, KY to Hopkinsville, KY is 292.6 miles and takes about 5h 27m via Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway, and I 64, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region towards the west. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across 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
146.3 miles from Olive Hill, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
I 64
76.6 mi
1h 23m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
I 169
24.7 mi
26m
West New Circle Road
5.8 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.5 mi
6m
KY 2
3 mi
5m
Lexington Road
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Hill, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on KY 986
97 ft·3 sec·Cross Street
2
Turn right onto Railroad Street
221 ft·9 sec·Railroad Street
3
Turn left onto Scott Street
372 ft·14 sec·Scott Street
4
Turn left onto US 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 60
5
Turn right onto KY 2
3.0 mi·5 min·KY 2
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
7
Merge onto I 64
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 64
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
2.4 mi·3 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.2 mi·2 min·North Broadway
11
Turn right onto US KY4
5.8 mi·8 min·West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 60
4.5 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 60
1.3 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
16
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
18
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
22
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
25
Continue on I 169
25 mi·26 min·I 169
Exit 106A
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
27
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
28
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi·29 sec·McLean Avenue
29
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
30
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft·13 sec·Bethel Street
31
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m duration, leaving Olive Hill in the morning should allow ample time to reach Hopkinsville before evening. The route is mostly highway, so stopping for fuel and a break at the halfway point, perhaps around the 150-mile mark, makes sense for pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can sometimes be spaced out. With a $46 fuel estimate, budgeting for a full tank before you depart is a good idea.
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 146.3 miles from Olive Hill, KY, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 64 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.3 miles or 2h 46m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkinsville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Olive Hill, 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 Olive Hill, KY
This is one driving day of about 292.6 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Olive Hill, 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 98 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 80.4 and 291.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
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 113
Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
7
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
167.4 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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...
8
291.5 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68, KY 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.21 one way
$86.42 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.70
$95.41
premium
$4.72
$54.33
$108.65
diesel
$4.80
$55.25
$110.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.72
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.60
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.96
$18.73
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Olive Hill, KY
Late night
in Olive Hill on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:59PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night
in Hopkinsville on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:59PM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 27m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 161.4
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 90.8
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 191.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is overwhelmingly on the highway, with 94% of the drive utilizing major parkways and interstates. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major change in direction or road type on the Western Kentucky Parkway, covering 98 miles. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you near Hopkinsville, though the vast majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed corridors. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits.
94% 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: 98 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.4 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 25 significant decision points across 292.6 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 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
965 ft445 ft
Total Climb
543 ft
Total Descent
768 ft
Highest Point
965 ft
~62.7 mi in
Elevation Range
520 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Olive Hill, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 292.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Hopkinsville, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hopkinsville, KY before the return drive.
