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Trip from Alexandria, KY to Owensboro, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

206.1 mi

332 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Alexandria, KY, KY

Alexandria, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Downtown Owensboro, KY, KY

Owensboro, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Alexandria, KY to Owensboro, KY covers 206.1 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 71, I 64, US 231 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67 miles on I 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.22 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

103 miles from Alexandria, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 67 mi 1h 11m
I 64 65 mi 1h 10m
US 231 20.9 mi 26m
SR 161 8.2 mi 11m
I 265 6.9 mi 8m
Lewis and Clark Bridge 6.1 mi 7m
Walton Nicholson Pike 4.1 mi 6m
Sycamore Street 3.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 67 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, KY and Owensboro, KY.

1

Start on Washington Street

35 ft · 5 sec · Washington Street
2

Turn right onto KY 10

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on KY 915

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Licking Pike
4

Turn right onto KY 536

2.8 mi · 5 min · Creektrace Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto KY 177; KY 536

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Decoursey Pike
6

Turn right onto KY 536

2.9 mi · 4 min · Visalia Road
7

At end of road, turn right onto KY 536

1.2 mi · 1 min · Staffordsburg Road
8

Turn left onto KY 536

398 ft · 9 sec · Maverick Road
9

Turn left onto KY 16; KY 536

2.1 mi · 3 min · Taylor Mill Road
10

Continue on KY 16

4.1 mi · 6 min · Walton Nicholson Pike
11

Continue on KY 16

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Walton Nicholson Road
12

Turn right onto US 25; KY 16

0.6 mi · 54 sec · Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on US 25; KY 16

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
14

Turn right onto Old Beaver Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Old Beaver Road
15

Continue on Stephenson Mill Road

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Stephenson Mill Road
16

Keep slight left at fork onto School Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · School Road
17

Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Mary Grubbs Highway
Use the right lane.
18

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
19

Merge onto I 75

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 75
20

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 173 Toward I 71 South: Louisville Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on I 71

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward KY 841 North
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 841 North
24

Merge onto KY 841

3.0 mi · 3 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
25

Continue on KY 841

6.1 mi · 7 min · Lewis and Clark Bridge
26

Continue on SR 265; SR 62

0.8 mi · 57 sec · SR 265; SR 62
27

Continue on I 265; SR 62

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 265; SR 62
28

Continue on I 265; SR 62

0.5 mi · 54 sec · I 265; SR 62
Toward I 64 West, SR 62 West: Saint Louis
29

Merge onto I 64; US 150; SR 62

1.7 mi · 2 min · I 64; US 150; SR 62
30

Continue on I 64; SR 62

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 64; SR 62
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 231 South
32

Merge onto US 231

21 mi · 26 min · US 231
33

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
34

Turn right onto SR 66

1.1 mi · 1 min · SR 66
35

Turn right onto SR 66

3.4 mi · 4 min · Sycamore Street
36

Turn left onto SR 161

8.2 mi · 11 min · SR 161
37

Continue on KY 2262

0.6 mi · 1 min · Owensboro Bridge
38

Turn right onto East 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East 3rd Street
39

Turn right onto Frederica Street

205 ft · 3 sec · Frederica Street
40

Arrive at destination

Frederica Street

Trip Plan

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 103 miles from Alexandria, KY, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67 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 45 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103 miles or 2h 6m 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 18m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, KY

This is one driving day of about 206.1 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Alexandria, 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 I 71 for about 67 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Worthington Hills, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worthington Hills, KY

103 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

Warsaw, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Joseph, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103 miles from Alexandria, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67 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

The Creme Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owensboro, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately mile 206.1

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12706837787

Visit website

Rice Bowl Korean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Albany, Indiana

0.8 mi

TANDOORI FUSION - INDIAN RESTAURANT

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Jolie Carre - World Cafe (fka Boujie Biscuit)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owensboro, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 206.1

Hours: 8:30 am–6:30 pm

+12705704550

Visit website

Starlight Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Albany, Indiana

0.7 mi

Coffee Crossing

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Albany, Indiana

1.3 mi

The Creme Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately mile 206.1

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12706837787

Visit website

Rice Bowl Korean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+18125906786

Visit website

TANDOORI FUSION - INDIAN RESTAURANT

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 88.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+15022552590

Visit website

Green Tea Chinese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18129247780

Visit website

FISTFUL Craft Restaurant & Brewery

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+18125570226

Visit website

The Charcoal Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.3

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15027498888

Visit website

A Nice Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+18129454321

Visit website

Palermo's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.6

La Grange, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15022650039

Visit website

Jolie Carre - World Cafe (fka Boujie Biscuit)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 206.1

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–6:30 pm

+12705704550

Visit website

Starlight Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18125421522

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+18125576899

Visit website

Kolkin Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+18125998410

Visit website

Libertalia Coffee & Bagels

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 206.1

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12702157759

Visit website

Sycamore Street Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.3

Rockport, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+18126602422

Mickey's

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 103

New Albany, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+18129812633

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | KY 10 / East Main Street

Turn right onto KY 10 / East Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
16.2 mi into trip | ~27m in | US 25; KY 16 / Dixie Highway

Turn right onto US 25; KY 16 / Dixie Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
18.2 mi into trip | ~31m in | KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway

Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
19.9 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward I 71 South: Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 173 Toward I 71 South: Louisville
5
87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward KY 841 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward KY 841 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.22 one way

$64.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.38 $70.76
premium $4.89 $39.66 $79.32
diesel $5.61 $45.50 $91.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.8 0 $21.64 $9.89
Efficient EV 51.5 0 $18.03 $8.24
EV Truck/SUV 82.4 1 $28.85 $13.19

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, KY

Afternoon in Alexandria on Saturday

Local time

3:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 9 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Destination

Owensboro, KY

Afternoon in Owensboro on Saturday

Local time

2:12 PM

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

12 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 8m 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?

206.1 mi in 4h 8m, mostly highway — 67 mi of that is on I 71.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near KY 10 / East Main Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 26 significant decision points across 206.1 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: near the start (KY 10 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles (US 25; KY 16 / Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 206.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67 miles on I 71. 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 Owensboro, 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: near the start (KY 10 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles (US 25; KY 16 / Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Owensboro, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

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