Paintsville to Hopkinsville is 322.9 miles and takes about 5h 59m via Western Kentucky Parkway, Mountain Parkway, and Bluegrass Parkway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Kentucky, connecting the southeastern part of the state to the west. It's primarily a highway drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. Consider this route for a single-day transit, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
161.4 miles from Paintsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
Mountain Parkway
76.9 mi
1h 22m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
I 169
24.7 mi
26m
I 64
17.9 mi
20m
US 460
13.6 mi
15m
West New Circle Road
5.8 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paintsville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on Court Street
495 ft·26 sec·Court Street
2
Turn left onto KY 40
2.3 mi·3 min·3rd Street
3
Continue on US 460
14 mi·15 min·US 460
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 460
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·Mountain Parkway
5
Merge onto I 64
16 mi·16 min·I 64
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
2.4 mi·3 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.2 mi·2 min·North Broadway
9
Turn right onto US KY4
5.8 mi·8 min·West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 60
4.5 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 60
1.3 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
20
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
23
Continue on I 169
25 mi·26 min·I 169
Exit 106A
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
25
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Exit 9Toward US 68, KY 80
26
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi·29 sec·McLean Avenue
27
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
28
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft·13 sec·Bethel Street
29
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 59m drive time, leaving Paintsville in the morning will allow you to reach Hopkinsville with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before entering longer stretches like the 98-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway, as services can be spaced out. The $49 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor in current prices. Since this is a one-day trip, you can adapt your departure time based on your morning's activities in Paintsville.
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 161.4 miles from Paintsville, KY, or about 3h 3m 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 71 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 3h 3m 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 55m
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 Paintsville, 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 Paintsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 322.9 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Paintsville, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 110.7 and 321.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
110.7 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
197.7 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
197.9 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
321.8 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
$47.68 one way
$95.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.64
$105.29
premium
$4.72
$59.95
$119.91
diesel
$4.80
$60.97
$121.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.9
1
$33.90
$15.50
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.92
EV Truck/SUV
129.2
1
$45.21
$20.67
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Paintsville, KY
Night
in Paintsville on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph23% chanceLive forecast
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
Evening
in Hopkinsville on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 2 to 7 mph58% chanceLive forecast
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
2 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 59m 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 189.3
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
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 122.5
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 222.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 94% of this drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 98 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway. This means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and a good number of exits for services and breaks. The profile is mostly highway, so expect efficient travel with minimal time spent on slower, surface roads. You'll notice the rural cruising feel for much of the trip, punctuated by the dense exit patterns typical of parkways.
94% 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: 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 Mountain Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.7 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 322.9 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 110.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.7 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
980 ft429 ft
Total Climb
931 ft
Total Descent
1,005 ft
Highest Point
980 ft
~115.3 mi in
Elevation Range
551 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paintsville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Paintsville is a city in the Kentucky Appalachians. It's one of those eastern Kentucky towns that is feeling the effects of the downturn in the coal industry.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 322.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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 110.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.7 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
