The drive from Elizabethtown, KY to Paducah, KY covers 172 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Western Kentucky Parkway, I 69, I 24 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.3 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
86 miles from Elizabethtown, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 172 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 10m highway drive covering 172 miles, with most of the trip on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. The longest continuous stretch is about 98.3 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Western Kentucky Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 98.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
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 172 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky P...
7
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68B
Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
4
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
162.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 68: Paducah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
6
163.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.3 mi
1h 45m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 24
9.1 mi
9m
Kentucky Dam Road
2.5 mi
3m
Clarks River Road
2 mi
3m
Wayne Sullivan Drive
1.7 mi
2m
South 3rd Street
1.4 mi
2m
US 68
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, KY and Paducah, KY.
1
Start on US 62; KY 61
0.5 mi·48 sec·North Mulberry Street
2
Turn left
92 ft·2 sec
3
Turn slight right onto US 62
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Mulberry Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto US 31W Bypass
0.6 mi·37 sec·Elizabethtown Bypass
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
7
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
8
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
9
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
13
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
14
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
16
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
17
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
18
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
19
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
20
Arrive at destination
Washington 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 86 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 38 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 33m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paducah, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY
This is one driving day of about 172 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Elizabethtown, 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 98.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Elizabethtown, KY
· 1h 33m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 29.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.89 one way
$53.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.52
$59.05
premium
$4.89
$33.10
$66.20
diesel
$5.61
$37.98
$75.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.05
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Elizabethtown, KY
Evening
in Elizabethtown on Friday
Local time
6:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paducah, KY
Evening
in Paducah on Friday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Greenville, KY
86 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 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
3h 10m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elizabethtown, KY to Paducah, KY covers 172 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Kentucky Parkway, I 69, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86 miles from Elizabethtown, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.89 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Elizabethtown, KY to Paducah, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace 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.
