Paducah, KY to Middlesboro, KY is 339.1 miles and takes about 6h 32m via Cumberland Parkway and I-24, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, transitioning from the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a relatively straightforward trip. With just one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure.
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
169.5 miles from Paducah, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
I 24
48.5 mi
51m
Russellville Road
35.9 mi
42m
KY 80
33.8 mi
40m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
Interstate Highway 65
21.7 mi
23m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
I 75
11.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,310 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,020
Quietest
2 AM
~362 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 101 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 Paducah, KY and Middlesboro, 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
49 mi·51 min·I 24
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 65Toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
11
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
3.8 mi·4 min·Hopkinsville Road
12
Continue on US 68; KY 80
9.2 mi·11 min·Cadiz Road
13
Continue on US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi·2 min·West 7th Street
14
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80; KY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
15
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi·1 min·McLean Avenue
16
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.9 mi·10 min·Russellville Road
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
5.2 mi·5 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
18
Continue on US 68; KY 80
19 mi·22 min·Russellville Road
19
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·West 4th Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
231 ft·7 sec·West 4th Street
21
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
72 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
22
Turn right onto US 68 Business
0.6 mi·55 sec·East 4th Street
23
Turn right onto US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
24
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
25
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
26
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
27
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
28
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
29
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.0 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 165 South
31
Merge onto I 165
4.8 mi·5 min·I 165
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 1AToward I 65 North: Louisville
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
34
Merge onto I 65
22 mi·23 min·Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
36
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·Cumberland Parkway
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
38
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
39
Turn left onto KY 80
34 mi·40 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
41
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
43
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
44
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
45
Continue on US 25E
5.3 mi·6 min·Bob Madon Bypass
46
Continue on US 25E
5.2 mi·5 min·Wilderness Road
47
Continue on US 25E
1.0 mi·1 min·Pineville Road
48
Continue on US 25E
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
49
Turn right onto KY 74
0.8 mi·1 min·East Cumberland Avenue
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto 21st Street
509 ft·28 sec·21st Street
51
Turn left onto Lothbury Avenue
174 ft·7 sec·Lothbury Avenue
52
Arrive at destination
Lothbury Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider leaving Paducah in the morning to allow ample daylight. The longest continuous highway stretch is over 85 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short duration and high highway share, you have flexibility; stopping once for about 30 minutes should be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the final stretch into Middlesboro.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.5 miles from Paducah, KY, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 75 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.5 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middlesboro, 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 339.1 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 85.6 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 57.9 and 338.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 65
Toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
5
108 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
137.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
6
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 86
Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
6
338.1 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|KY 74 / East Cumberland Avenue
Turn right onto KY 74 / East Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.57 one way
$113.13 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$61.72
$123.44
premium
$5.25
$70.13
$140.26
diesel
$6.28
$83.79
$167.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.7
1
$35.61
$16.28
Efficient EV
84.8
0
$29.67
$13.56
EV Truck/SUV
135.6
1
$47.47
$21.70
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 21, 2026
Origin
Paducah, KY
Afternoon
in Paducah on Thursday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NNE 0 to 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Middlesboro, KY
Afternoon
in Middlesboro on Thursday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Greensburg, KY
170 mi in
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
1 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
6h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 245.5
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 339.1
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 163.7
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 70% of the total mileage on major roads. You'll encounter a long, continuous stretch of 85.6 miles on the Cumberland Parkway. The transition to surface roads will occur as you move away from the main highway corridors. Expect a fairly direct path with fewer sharp turns, typical of routes dominated by interstate and parkway travel.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.6 mi on Cumberland Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 339.1 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 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,171 ft340 ft
Total Climb
1,059 ft
Total Descent
256 ft
Highest Point
1,171 ft
~290.6 mi in
Elevation Range
831 ft
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 Middlesboro, KY, road signs point toward Hopkinsville, Somerset, Glasgow, Burnside and Barbourville.
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.
Top landmarks
•Lloyd Tilghman Memorial — sculpture
•Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Paducah, Kentucky
•Paducah Freight House — railway station in Paducah, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 339.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Middlesboro, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Middlesboro, KY before the return drive.
