Trip from Grayson, KY to Owensboro, KY

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

273.6 mi

440 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 54m ★

6 AM

5h 8m

8 AM

5h 35m

10 AM

5h 17m

12 PM

5h 14m

3 PM

5h 18m

5 PM

5h 33m

8 PM

5h 0m

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

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Grayson, KY

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Owensboro, KY

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Trip Overview

Embark on a 273.6-mile journey from Grayson, Kentucky, to Owensboro, Kentucky, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 92% of the drive on major roadways, making it a feasible one-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $43 for this adventure through the Southeast region of Kentucky. While it's designed for a single day, the option to split it exists if you prefer a more leisurely pace. This trip offers a straightforward path connecting two points within the same state, emphasizing efficient travel.

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

136.8 miles from Grayson, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with a significant 92% of your time spent on major interstates and parkways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.9 miles on I-64, offering sustained periods of consistent travel. The route utilizes key arteries like I-64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Western Kentucky Parkway, suggesting a mix of interstate and parkway driving. Expect a profile that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than winding through small towns.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 273.6 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 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

93.5 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington

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 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington

100.9 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles

180.4 mi into trip | ~3h 22m 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...

180.6 mi into trip | ~3h 23m 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...

269.2 mi into trip | ~4h 59m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Grayson, KY and Owensboro, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.

Cincinnati

91 mi in | ~1h 38m | via I 64

Lexington

93.5 mi in | ~1h 42m

Elizabethtown

107.1 mi in | ~2h 2m

Paducah

180.4 mi in | ~3h 22m

Western Kentucky Parkway West

180.6 mi in | ~3h 23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 64	91.9 mi	1h 39m
Bluegrass Parkway	70.6 mi	1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway	59.1 mi	1h 3m
I 165	28.2 mi	30m
West New Circle Road	5.8 mi	8m
Versailles Road	4.5 mi	6m
Lexington Road	1.3 mi	1m
East Parrish Avenue	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 64 — 91.9 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 60

0.2 mi · 22 sec · East Main Street

Turn left onto KY 1; KY 7

1.0 mi · 1 min · Carol Malone Boulevard

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Merge onto I 64

90 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64

2.4 mi · 3 min · I 64

Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 113 Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 27; US 68

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Broadway

Turn right onto US KY4

5.8 mi · 8 min · West New Circle Road

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Exit 5B Toward US 60 West: Versailles Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 60

4.5 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 60

1.3 mi · 1 min · Lexington Road

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward Elizabethtown

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 65

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 91C-B Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Western Kentucky Parkway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 77A Toward I 165 North: Owensboro

Merge onto I 165

28 mi · 30 min · I 165

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 70A Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville

Merge onto US 60; US 231

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Wendell Ford Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 18 Toward KY 54

Turn left onto KY 54

260 ft · 6 sec · Leitchfield Road

Continue on KY 54

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Parrish Avenue

Turn right onto Leitchfield Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Leitchfield Road

Turn left onto East 5th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · East 5th Street

Turn right onto Frederica Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Frederica Street

Arrive at destination

Frederica Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Grayson early in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Owensboro without feeling rushed. While only one stop is noted, plan for additional breaks as needed, especially during the 91.9-mile stretch on I-64. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is a good budget baseline, but monitoring your fuel gauge is always wise, particularly before longer segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best, making it easy to adapt to traffic or weather conditions.

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 136.8 miles from Grayson, KY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136.8 miles or 2h 34m 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 10m

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 Grayson, 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 Grayson, KY

This is one driving day of about 273.6 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Grayson, 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 64 for about 91.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 136.8 mi from Grayson, KY · 2h 34m into the drive

city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nicholasville, KY

137 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

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nicholasville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.8 miles from Grayson, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 miles.

Arriving in Owensboro, KY

The final approach into Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, KY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.77 one way

$85.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$46.96	$93.93
premium	$4.89	$52.65	$105.30
diesel	$5.61	$60.41	$120.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	82.1	1	$28.73	$13.13
Efficient EV	68.4	0	$23.94	$10.94
EV Truck/SUV	109.4	1	$38.30	$17.51

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Grayson, KY

Morning in Grayson on Wednesday

Local time

7:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Owensboro, KY

Morning in Owensboro on Wednesday

Local time

6:49 AM

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

14 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

5h 7m 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 Grayson, KY to Owensboro, KY covers 273.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 136.8 miles from Grayson, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.77 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.

Between Grayson, KY and Owensboro, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.

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Trip from Grayson, KY to Owensboro, KY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Owensboro, KY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Grayson, KY

Owensboro, KY

1 hour earlier

14 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 7m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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