Origin
Brodhead, KY
Afternoon in Brodhead on Saturday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brodhead, 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
3h 35m
Distance
189 mi
304 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brodhead, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Owensboro, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brodhead, KY to Owensboro, KY is 189 miles and takes about 3h 35m via Western Kentucky Parkway and US 150, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting the Southeast region to itself. Expect a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day duration, it's ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points. The route is designed for steady progress rather than extensive sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.5 miles from Brodhead, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 59.1 mi | 1h 3m |
| US 150 | 38.2 mi | 43m |
| I 165 | 28.2 mi | 30m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| Springfield Road | 15.6 mi | 17m |
| Perryville Road | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| South Danville Bypass | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 59.1 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brodhead, KY and Owensboro, KY.
1
Start on Sycamore Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Sycamore Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1505
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Boone Way
3
Continue on KY 2250
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 150
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 150
5
Turn straight onto US 150 Bypass
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
South Danville Bypass
6
Turn left onto US 150; KY 52
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Perryville Road
7
Continue on US 150; KY 52
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
8
Continue on US 150
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Springfield Road
9
Turn left onto US 150
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 150
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 150
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Bluegrass Parkway West
12
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
18
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 North: Owensboro
20
Merge onto I 165
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 165
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 70A
Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
22
Merge onto US 60; US 231
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 18
Toward KY 54
24
Turn left onto KY 54
260 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leitchfield Road
25
Continue on KY 54
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Parrish Avenue
26
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Leitchfield Road
27
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
28
Turn right onto Frederica Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Frederica Street
29
Arrive at destination
Frederica Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 35m duration, leaving anytime in the morning should allow ample daylight to reach Owensboro. You'll encounter one main stop on the Western Kentucky Parkway, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though the $30 fuel cost suggests you won't need to fill up multiple times. The 189-mile distance is very manageable for a single day. A key tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longest stretch on the Western Kentucky Parkway; topping up before that 59.1-mile segment ensures a smooth continuation.
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 94.5 miles from Brodhead, KY, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 42 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.5 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
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 Brodhead, 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 Brodhead, KY
This is one driving day of about 189 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Brodhead, 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 59.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.5 miles from Brodhead, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 0.1 and 184.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KY 1505 / Boone Way
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1505 / Boone Way
Navigation decision point
8
95.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m 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
96 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m 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...
6
96.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
7
184.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70A
Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.55 one way
$59.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.44 | $64.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.37 | $72.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.73 | $83.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.85 | $9.07 |
| Efficient EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.54 | $7.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.46 | $12.10 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Owensboro, KY
Afternoon in Owensboro on Saturday
Local time
1:21 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
26 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
3h 35m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 91.3
View on nps.gov
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 26.1
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 123.8
View on nps.gov
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
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 leans heavily towards highway driving, with 80% of your journey on major roads like the Western Kentucky Parkway and I 165. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 59.1 miles on the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing for consistent speed. The profile is largely highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, multi-lane roads. While US 150 offers a slight change of pace, the overall feel is one of efficient travel across the state.
80% 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: 59.1 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and US 150. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KY 1505 / Boone Way.
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 22 significant decision points across 189 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 0.1 miles (KY 1505 / Boone Way): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Brodhead, KY and Owensboro, KY, road signs point toward Bluegrass Parkway West, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Bluegrass Parkway West
69.6 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Paducah
95.8 mi in
|
~1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
96 mi in
|
~1h 50m
Elizabethtown
96.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 189 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.1 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 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: at 0.1 miles (KY 1505 / Boone Way): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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