Stretching 100 miles through Southeast Kentucky, this route from Williamsburg to Georgetown is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because the total distance is manageable, you can easily handle this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this path involves transitioning across regional corridors using the Cumberland Gap Parkway, KY 38, and Harlan Road. This drive offers a practical way to connect these two Kentucky points, providing a clear itinerary for travelers who prefer a direct approach. Whether you are commuting or exploring, the journey remains efficient and predictable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50 miles from Williamsburg, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Gap Parkway
28.7 mi
33m
KY 38
19.7 mi
34m
Harlan Road
15.9 mi
18m
Pineville Road
13.1 mi
14m
I 75
8.6 mi
9m
Corbin Bypass
5.7 mi
7m
Cumberland Falls Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Bob Madon Bypass
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Gap Parkway
— 28.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, KY and Georgetown, KY.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
427 ft·24 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto KY 296
0.2 mi·23 sec·Cumberland Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 25W
1.8 mi·2 min·Cumberland Falls Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 25W
2.0 mi·3 min·Cumberland Falls Highway
5
Enter roundabout
57 ft·1 sec
6
Continue
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto I 75
8.6 mi·9 min·I 75
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 25W: Corbin
9
Keep slight right at fork
152 ft·3 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto Cumberland Falls Highway
0.5 mi·40 sec·Cumberland Falls Highway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on Cumberland Falls Road
0.2 mi·11 sec·Cumberland Falls Road
12
Take the exit
254 ft·7 sec
13
Merge onto KY 3041
5.7 mi·7 min·Corbin Bypass
14
Turn right onto US 25E
29 mi·33 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
15
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
16
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
17
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
18
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
19
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft·9 sec·KY 38
20
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
91 ft·1 sec·KY 38
21
Continue on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
22
Arrive at destination
KY 38
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to worry about planning for forced rest stops, as the entire route is designed to be completed in one go without any mandatory pauses. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $15 estimate is a good baseline but can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given that you will be utilizing a mix of parkways and local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits as you transition between the Cumberland Gap Parkway and secondary routes. This direct route is all about simplicity, so pack your essentials and enjoy the straightforward navigation through Southeast Kentucky.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50 miles from Williamsburg, KY, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Georgetown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, KY
This is one driving day of about 100 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Williamsburg, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cumberland Gap Parkway for about 28.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 296 / Cumberland Avenue
Turn left onto KY 296 / Cumberland Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4 mi into trip|~6m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
13.3 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
13.3 mi into trip|~17m in|Cumberland Falls Highway
Merge onto Cumberland Falls Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|KY 38
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.63 one way
$31.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.17
$34.33
premium
$4.89
$19.24
$38.49
diesel
$5.61
$22.08
$44.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30
0
$10.50
$4.80
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.75
$4.00
EV Truck/SUV
40
0
$14.00
$6.40
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Williamsburg, KY
Late night
in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Georgetown, KY
Late night
in Georgetown on Sunday
Local time
4:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Pineville, KY
50 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 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 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 55.2
Park Closure: Little Yellow Creek Bridge Closure - Construction Underway
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed-drive experience that balances highway efficiency with more localized travel. Roughly 58% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace for a good portion of the trip. Your most significant stretch of road occurs on the Cumberland Gap Parkway, where you will navigate 28.7 miles of uninterrupted pavement. As you transition between the primary arteries of KY 38 and Harlan Road, the character of the drive shifts from faster-paced transit to more moderate speeds. This combination ensures you stay alert behind the wheel while covering the 100-mile distance in a reasonable timeframe.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on Cumberland Gap Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KY 296 / Cumberland Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KY 296 / Cumberland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 100 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on Cumberland Gap Parkway. 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 Georgetown, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KY 296 / Cumberland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. 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 Georgetown, KY before heading back.
