Origin
Owensboro, KY
Night in Owensboro on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Owensboro, KY to Russell Springs, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
154.7 mi
249 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Owensboro, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Russell Springs, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
Owensboro to Russell Springs is 154.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via I-165 and Cumberland Parkway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained parkways and interstates, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points with minimal hassle.
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
77.3 miles from Owensboro, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 165 | 62.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| Cumberland Parkway | 61.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 65 | 14.5 mi | 15m |
| Louisville Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| New Hartford Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Morgantown Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Kentucky Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Frederica Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 165
— 62.4 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Owensboro, KY and Russell Springs, 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 17
Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
8
Continue on I 165
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 165
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
10
Turn left onto US 231
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Morgantown Road
11
Turn left onto Old Morgantown Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Morgantown Road
12
Turn left onto US 68 Business
361 ft
·
8 sec
·
University Boulevard
13
Continue on US 68 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Kentucky Street
14
Continue on US 31W; US 68; KY 80
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisville Road
15
Turn right onto KY 446
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
KY 446
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
17
Merge onto I 65
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 65
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
19
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Cumberland Parkway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 62
Toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
21
Merge onto US 127
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 127
22
Turn left onto KY 619
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Street
23
At end of road, turn left onto KY 379
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
KY 379
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $24, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart Owensboro in the morning and arrive in Russell Springs well before midday, leaving plenty of time for activities at your destination. The longest stretch without a major change is 62.4 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that segment. Since it's a single-day trip focused on major highways, there are fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours, so ensure you have any necessary supplies before you start. A good tip is to utilize the Cumberland Parkway's services, as it's a primary artery for a significant portion of your journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.3 miles from Owensboro, KY, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.4 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.3 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell Springs, 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 154.7 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 165 for about 62.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.3 miles from Owensboro, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 165 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 152.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 18th Street
Turn left onto West 18th Street
Navigation decision point
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 17
Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
4
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
90.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Somerset, Glasgow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
6
152.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.19 one way
$48.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.55 | $53.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.16 | $68.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.24 | $7.43 |
| Efficient EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.54 | $6.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.66 | $9.90 |
Gas CO2
54 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.
Destination
Russell Springs, KY
Night in Russell Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 12 to 15 mph
73% chance
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
2h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 90.7
View on nps.gov
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 154.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-165, Cumberland Parkway, and I-65. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 62.4-mile segment on I-165. Expect a smooth, consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip. The personality of the road is geared towards efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly. While it's primarily interstate and parkway, the transition between these roads is seamless, maintaining a high-speed flow for most of the 154.7 miles.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.4 mi on I 165.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 165 and Cumberland Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near West 18th Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 154.7 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 1.1 miles (West 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Russell Springs, KY, road signs point toward Somerset and Glasgow.
Somerset
90.6 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Glasgow
90.6 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 154.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m 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 62.4 miles on I 165. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Russell Springs, 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 1.1 miles (West 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Mammoth Cave National Park and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Russell Springs, KY before heading back.
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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