The drive from Beaver Dam, KY to Georgetown, KY covers 279.1 miles and takes about 5h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cumberland Parkway, KY 80, I 165 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.63 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
139.5 miles from Beaver Dam, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 279.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 35m highway drive covering 279.1 miles, with most of the trip on Cumberland Parkway and KY 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cumberland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 85.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and KY 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 279.1 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 62.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
5
62.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward Somerset, Glasgow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
6
148.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
5
194.5 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
5
259.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|KY 38
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beaver Dam, KY and Georgetown, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow, Burnside and Barbourville.
Somerset
62.3 mi in|~1h 15m
Glasgow
62.3 mi in|~1h 15m
Burnside
148.4 mi in|~2h 48m
Barbourville
194.5 mi in|~3h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
KY 80
33.8 mi
40m
I 165
33.2 mi
35m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
KY 38
19.7 mi
34m
Harlan Road
15.9 mi
18m
I 65
14.5 mi
15m
Pineville Road
13.1 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beaver Dam, KY and Georgetown, KY.
1
Start on US 231
0.6 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
2
Continue on US 231
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 231
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
4
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
1.5 mi·1 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 77AToward I 165 South: Bowling Green
6
Merge onto I 165
33 mi·35 min·I 165
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
8
Turn left onto US 231
1.8 mi·2 min·Morgantown Road
9
Turn left onto Old Morgantown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Old Morgantown Road
10
Turn left onto US 68 Business
361 ft·8 sec·University Boulevard
11
Continue on US 68 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·Kentucky Street
12
Continue on US 31W; US 68; KY 80
2.8 mi·4 min·Louisville Road
13
Turn right onto KY 446
0.7 mi·1 min·KY 446
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto I 65
14 mi·15 min·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
17
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·Cumberland Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
19
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
20
Turn left onto KY 80
34 mi·40 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
22
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·12 min·I 75
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
24
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
25
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
26
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
27
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
28
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
29
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi·2 min·US 421
30
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft·9 sec·KY 38
31
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
91 ft·1 sec·KY 38
32
Continue on KY 38
20 mi·34 min·KY 38
33
Arrive at destination
KY 38
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 139.5 miles from Beaver Dam, KY, or about 2h 38m 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 2h 38m 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 25m
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 Beaver Dam, 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 Beaver Dam, KY
This is one driving day of about 279.1 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Beaver Dam, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.5 mi from Beaver Dam, KY
· 2h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 139.5 miles from Beaver Dam, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Cumberland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.6 miles.
Arriving in Georgetown, KY
The final approach into Georgetown, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Georgetown, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 144.4
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 57.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.63 one way
$87.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.91
$95.82
premium
$4.89
$53.71
$107.42
diesel
$5.61
$61.62
$123.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.31
$13.40
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.42
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.07
$17.86
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Beaver Dam, KY
Night
in Beaver Dam on Friday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Georgetown, KY
Night
in Georgetown on Friday
Local time
11:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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 35m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beaver Dam, KY to Georgetown, KY covers 279.1 miles and takes about 5h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Parkway, KY 80, I 165. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.5 miles from Beaver Dam, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 279.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 62.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Beaver Dam, KY and Georgetown, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow, Burnside and Barbourville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
