Origin
Walton, KY
Morning in Walton on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Walton, KY to Hopkinsville, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
250.8 mi
404 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Walton, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Hopkinsville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Walton, KY to Hopkinsville, KY is 250.8 miles and takes about 4h 40m via Western Kentucky Parkway, I 71, and I 65, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive is entirely within Kentucky, taking you south through the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on interstates and parkways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. The relatively short duration and predictable route suggest 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
125.4 miles from Walton, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 71 | 71.1 mi | 1h 16m |
| I 65 | 38.7 mi | 42m |
| I 169 | 24.7 mi | 26m |
| Henry Watterson Expressway | 10 mi | 13m |
| I 75 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East 9th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| School Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walton, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on this road
285 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Old Nicholson Road
245 ft
·
10 sec
·
Old Nicholson Road
3
Continue on US 25; KY 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Old Beaver Road
5
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Stephenson Mill Road
6
Keep slight left at fork onto School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
School Road
7
Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Mary Grubbs Highway
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
9
Merge onto I 75
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 173
Toward I 71 South: Louisville
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 71
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi
·
13 min
·
Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
17
Merge onto I 65
39 mi
·
42 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
21
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 169
281 ft
·
3 sec
·
I 169
24
Continue on I 169
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 169
Exit 106A
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
26
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
27
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
McLean Avenue
28
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 9th Street
29
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft
·
13 sec
·
Bethel Street
30
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $39, planning for one gas fill-up should be sufficient. Pay attention to signage for the Western Kentucky Parkway as it's your longest uninterrupted stretch, ensuring you're comfortable with the 98-mile segment before you begin.
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 125.4 miles from Walton, KY, or about 2h 23m 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
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 Walton, 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 Walton, KY
This is one driving day of about 250.8 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Walton, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.4 miles from Walton, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 85.5 and 249.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
85.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
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 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
85.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
125.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
125.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
249.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m 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
$39.21 one way
$78.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.26 | $96.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.37 | $110.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.33 | $12.04 |
| Efficient EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.3 | 1 | $35.11 | $16.05 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night in Hopkinsville on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
4h 40m 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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 121.1
View on nps.gov
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 155.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I-71, I-65, and the Western Kentucky Parkway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 98-mile segment on the Western Kentucky Parkway. The character is primarily that of efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. Be prepared for a steady pace for the majority of the 4h 40m travel time.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 250.8 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 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.6 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Walton, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Indianapolis
85.5 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Louisville
85.7 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Paducah
125.6 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
125.8 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Elizabethtown
126 mi in
|
~2h 25m
About the Cities
Arriving in Hopkinsville, KY
Full guide →Founded 1796
Hopkinsville , often nicknamed "Hoptown" by locals, is a town located in Kentucky's Western Waterlands.
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 4h 40m. Total distance: 250.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.6 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 and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hopkinsville, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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