Origin
Covington, KY
Afternoon in Covington on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
27m
Distance
16.2 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Covington, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Claryville, KY
Tom Fisk
If you are looking for a quick excursion through Northern Kentucky, the 16.2-mile journey from Covington to Claryville is a straightforward option. Expect to spend about 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a flexible day trip. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is an incredibly economical route to navigate. You will stay within the Southeastern region for the duration of the trip, transitioning from the Covington area into Claryville. Because the drive is short, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing to plan for overnight stays. It is a practical, no-nonsense path for those who prefer to keep their travel time efficient and predictable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.1 miles from Covington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
This 16.2-mile trek is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature, requiring your full attention as you navigate through the region. You will spend 100% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of Licking Pike, Alexandria Pike, and the AA Highway to reach your destination. Do not expect long, monotonous stretches; the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive is a 5.9-mile segment on Licking Pike. As you progress from the start to the finish, the road environment shifts to accommodate these winding transitions. Prepare yourself for a technical drive that keeps you engaged rather than a simple interstate cruise.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near KY 1120 / East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (KY 1120 / East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Brighton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (West 12th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto KY 1120 / East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Brighton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto KY 915 / Lickert Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Licking Pike | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Alexandria Pike | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| AA Highway | 4 mi | 5m |
| East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Scott Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Alexandria Pike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 11th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 27–AA Connector Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Covington, KY and Claryville, KY.
Start on East 7th Street
Turn right onto KY 17
Turn left onto KY 1120
Continue on KY 1120
Turn right onto Brighton Street
Turn right onto West 12th Street
Turn left onto KY 9
Continue on KY 9; AA
Turn right onto KY 709
Continue on KY 709
Turn left onto US 27
Turn right onto KY 915
Continue on KY 915
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Because this drive is only 27 minutes long, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to work around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops required for such a short distance, you can head straight through to Claryville without worrying about mid-trip rest breaks. Keep your fuel budget in mind, as the $2 estimate is quite modest for the 16.2-mile distance. Your best approach is to simply enjoy the efficiency of the route rather than over-planning your arrival. As a specific tip, stay alert on Licking Pike, as its 5.9-mile stretch is the longest you will encounter and serves as the primary backbone of your trip.
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.
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 16.2 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.1 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Claryville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Covington, 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 Covington, KY
This is one driving day of about 16.2 miles and 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.1 mi from Covington, KY · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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.
A short stop after about 16.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.1 miles from Covington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Claryville, 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 Claryville, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.46 one way
$4.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.71 | $5.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.06 | $6.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.70 | $0.78 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.42 | $0.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Covington on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Claryville on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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