Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Paducah, KY to Berea, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 16m

Distance

270.4 mi

435 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 3m ★
6 AM
5h 16m
8 AM
5h 43m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 23m
3 PM
5h 27m
5 PM
5h 42m
8 PM
5h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Paducah, KY, KY

Paducah, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Madison County, Kentucky

Berea, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 270.4 miles, the journey from Paducah to Berea is a significant cross-state trek that takes approximately 5 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because this route relies on local roads like South 4th Street, Wayne Sullivan Drive, and Clarks River Road rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day of driving. Budgeting about $41 for fuel will cover your transit across these southeastern Kentucky corridors. While the trip is manageable in one go, you should prepare for a full day behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the path, this drive offers an immersive, hands-on experience through the heart of 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

135.2 miles from Paducah, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway 99.2 mi 1h 46m
I 69 38.3 mi 41m
US 150 26.3 mi 30m
I 24 24.6 mi 26m
Bluegrass Parkway 23.8 mi 25m
Bardstown Road 9.2 mi 10m
Richmond Road 8.2 mi 12m
Cartersville Road 7.6 mi 13m
Longest stretch: Western Kentucky Parkway — 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Paducah, KY and Berea, KY.

1

Start on Washington Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Washington Street
2

Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street
3

Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business

1.7 mi · 2 min · Wayne Sullivan Drive
4

Turn left onto US 60; US 62

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clarks River Road
5

Turn straight onto US 60; US 62

1.0 mi · 1 min · Reidland Road
6

Turn straight onto US 62

1.7 mi · 1 min · Kentucky Dam Road
7

Turn right onto US 68

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 68
8

Turn left

0.4 mi · 50 sec
9

Merge onto I 24

25 mi · 26 min · I 24
10

Take the exit onto I 69

38 mi · 41 min · I 69
Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
11

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
15

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

24 mi · 25 min · Bluegrass Parkway
18

Take the exit onto US 31E Truck

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 31E Truck
Toward Bardstown
19

Turn right onto US 150

5.6 mi · 6 min · Springfield Road
20

Continue on US 150

9.2 mi · 10 min · Bardstown Road
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 150

93 ft · 1 sec · US 150
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 150

26 mi · 30 min · US 150
23

Turn right onto US 150; KY 52

430 ft · 9 sec · Wilderness Road
24

Continue on US 150; KY 52

1.2 mi · 1 min · Stanford Road
25

Turn left onto KY 52

5.2 mi · 7 min · Lancaster Road
26

Continue on KY 52

5.1 mi · 7 min · Danville Road
27

Continue on KY 52

8.2 mi · 12 min · Richmond Road
28

Turn right onto KY 954

7.6 mi · 13 min · Cartersville Road
29

Continue on KY 954

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Dogwood Drive
30

At end of road, turn right onto KY 21

2.5 mi · 4 min · Paint Lick Road
31

Continue on KY 21

1.0 mi · 1 min · Chestnut Street
32

Arrive at destination

US 25; KY 21

Trip Plan

Plan to depart early in the morning to account for the slow-and-steady nature of these local roads, ensuring you reach Berea before dark. With one planned stop included in your itinerary, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh, as the constant steering required on these roads can be more taxing than highway driving. Keep your $41 fuel budget handy and top off your tank before leaving Paducah, as local roads may not offer the same frequent service station access as major interstates. Since this is a turn-heavy route, rely on a reliable navigation system to keep you on track along South 4th Street and Clarks River Road. Embracing the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace if local traffic or road conditions fluctuate.

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 135.2 miles from Paducah, KY, or about 2h 29m 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 135.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berea, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Paducah, 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 Paducah, KY

This is one driving day of about 270.4 miles and 5h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Paducah, 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 99.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elizabethtown, KY

135 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

Madisonville, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Beaver Dam, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Paducah, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Branch Out

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paducah, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–5:30 pm

+12704437028

Visit website

Just Love Coffee - Berea, KY

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berea, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Stella's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Paducah, Kentucky

0.4 mi

Branch Out

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5:30 pm

+12704437028

Visit website

Just Love Coffee - Berea, KY

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 270.4

Berea, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18597563089

Visit website

Stella's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12705345123

Visit website

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 173.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12709867900

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Kitchens Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: Closed

+12705343907

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12707655525

Visit website

Artisan Kitchen

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Paducah, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12705380250

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 193.2

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 173.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.9 and 173.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
33.9 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 69

Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
72.2 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | Western Kentucky Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
171.4 mi into trip | ~3h 8m 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
171.8 mi into trip | ~3h 9m 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
173.7 mi into trip | ~3h 12m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.27 one way

$84.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $46.42 $92.83
premium $4.89 $52.04 $104.07
diesel $5.61 $59.70 $119.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.1 1 $28.39 $12.98
Efficient EV 67.6 0 $23.66 $10.82
EV Truck/SUV 108.2 1 $37.86 $17.31

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Paducah, KY

Late night in Paducah on Sunday

Local time

1:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Berea, KY

Late night in Berea on Sunday

Local time

2:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

6 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

5h 16m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention, moving away from high-speed monotony in favor of a more technical road profile. The path prioritizes local infrastructure, meaning you will spend your time navigating through various communities rather than passing them by at high speeds. Because the road is composed entirely of local thoroughfares, your pace will be steady rather than rapid. Be ready to handle frequent turns and varied local road conditions as you traverse the 270.4-mile distance.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.9 miles in near I 69.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 270.4 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 33.9 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Paducah, KY and Berea, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown.

Princeton

33.9 mi in | ~40m | via I 69

Elizabethtown

72.5 mi in | ~1h 22m | via Western Kentucky Parkway

Louisville

171.4 mi in | ~3h 8m

Lexington

173.7 mi in | ~3h 12m

Bardstown

173.7 mi in | ~3h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in Paducah, KY

Full guide →

Paducah is a small city on the Ohio River about midway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee. The county seat of McCracken County and the largest city in the Jackson Purchase area of western Kentucky, Paducah has a booming riverfront restaurant trade and arts scene in part driven by the city's artist relocation program which offers interest-free housing loans and other subsidies for established artists willing to relocate. Paducah is the hometown of humorist Irvin Cobb and former Vice President Alben Barkley (who served under President Harry S. Truman). Fans of contemporary Christian music will know it as the hometown of Steven Curtis Chapman, one of that genre's most iconic artists.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 270.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Berea, 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 33.9 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Berea, KY before the return drive.

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, 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

Explore More

Continue From Berea, KY

Covington, KY 116.8 mi · 2h 10m Elizabethtown, KY 99.4 mi · 2h 8m Frankfort, KY 64.8 mi · 1h 13m Lexington, KY 36.1 mi · 43m

More from Paducah, KY

Cynthiana, KY 282.9 mi · 5h 25m Lexington, KY 258.8 mi · 4h 49m Danville, KY 239.3 mi · 4h 26m Louisville, KY 216.9 mi · 4h 2m Fern Creek, KY 214.4 mi · 3h 59m Newburg, KY 211.8 mi · 3h 57m

More trips to Berea, KY

Henderson, KY 221.7 mi Bowling Green, KY 151.8 mi Louisville, KY 114.5 mi Independence, KY 106.6 mi
Escape planner: Paducah, KY Scenic drives in KY

Explore more options from Paducah, KY or browse trips ending in Berea, KY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.