Owensboro to Raceland is 299 miles and takes about 5 hours 36 minutes via I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given that 93% of this route is on highways, expect a straightforward drive with minimal traffic lights. It's a manageable distance for a single-day trip, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B 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
149.5 miles from Owensboro, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
99.2 mi
1h 47m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway
60.1 mi
1h 4m
I 165
28.8 mi
30m
Industrial Parkway
13.7 mi
15m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US Highway 23
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~645 veh/hr typical
· worst 968
Quietest
2 AM
~56 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 51 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 Owensboro, KY and Raceland, KY.
1
Start on Frederica Street
1.1 mi·1 min·Frederica Street
2
Turn left onto West 18th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West 18th Street
3
Turn right onto KY 2155
0.2 mi·28 sec·Triplett Street
4
Turn straight onto KY 2155
1.9 mi·3 min·New Hartford Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
6
Merge onto US 60; US 231
0.4 mi·29 sec·Wendell Ford Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 17Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
8
Continue on I 165
29 mi·30 min·I 165
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 41AToward Elizabethtown
10
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
18
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
20
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
22
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
23
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
24
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
81 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 64
26
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 179Toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
27
Continue on KY 67
14 mi·15 min·Industrial Parkway
28
Turn right onto US 23
3.5 mi·4 min·US Highway 23
29
Arrive at destination
US 23
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour 36-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Owensboro to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is largely highway, so planning your fuel stops is key; look for service areas along I 64. With the longest stretch being over 99 miles, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before embarking on that segment. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop for breaks as needed, but be aware that most of the drive is on high-speed parkways, so finding immediate services might be less frequent outside of designated rest areas.
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 149.5 miles from Owensboro, KY, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.5 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raceland, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, KY
This is one driving day of about 299.1 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Owensboro, 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 I 64 for about 99.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.1 and 183.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
94.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
96.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
183.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
$49.73 one way
$99.46 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$54.17
$108.34
premium
$5.18
$61.03
$122.07
diesel
$5.35
$63.00
$126.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.7
1
$31.41
$14.36
Efficient EV
74.8
0
$26.17
$11.96
EV Truck/SUV
119.6
1
$41.87
$19.14
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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Owensboro, KY
Afternoon
in Owensboro on Wednesday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Raceland, KY
Afternoon
in Raceland on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
N 2 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 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
11 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 36m 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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 103.1
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 165
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 61.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 93% of the 299 miles on major roads like I 64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Western Kentucky Parkway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 99.2 miles on I 64, so be prepared for extended cruising. The bulk of the trip is on well-maintained parkways and interstates, meaning you'll likely experience consistent speeds and fewer stops until you reach the end of the highway portion near Raceland.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.1 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 22 significant decision points across 299.1 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 94.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 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
1,035 ft394 ft
Total Climb
1,073 ft
Total Descent
915 ft
Highest Point
1,035 ft
~192.3 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Owensboro, KY and Raceland, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, Ashland and Greenup.
Owensboro is a town on the banks of the Ohio River in Kentucky's Western Coal Fields. It bills itself as the Barbecue Capital of the World and has had some interesting figures call it home over the years, such as Beulah Annan, whose story inspired the play and movie Chicago; Florence Henderson, aka Carol Brady of The Brady Bunch; NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip (as well as his brother Michael, also a longtime NASCAR driver); and Johnny Depp. On a darker note, it was also the site of the last public hanging in the United States, the subject being an African American, in 1936.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 299.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Raceland, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Raceland, KY before the return drive.
