Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
276.1 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Photo: Vietnam Hidden Light
The drive from Hazard, KY to Owensboro, KY covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Hal Rogers Parkway, Cumberland Parkway, I 165 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.2 miles on Hal Rogers Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.94 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
138 miles from Hazard, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
This is a 5h 19m highway drive covering 276.1 miles, with most of the trip on Hal Rogers Parkway and Cumberland Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 91.2 miles on Hal Rogers Parkway.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
964 ft
Total Descent
1,509 ft
Highest Point
1,233 ft
~70 mi in
Elevation Range
839 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Hal Rogers Parkway and Cumberland Parkway. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 276.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.2 miles (KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (Hal Rogers Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1762 / L O Davis Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the ramp toward London
Navigation decision point
Merge onto Hal Rogers Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
On the drive from Hazard, KY to Owensboro, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Bowling Green along the way.
Bowling Green
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 91.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| Cumberland Parkway | 86.2 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 165 | 62.3 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 65 | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| KY 451 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Veterans Memorial Lane | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Fairview Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East Parrish Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hazard, KY and Owensboro, KY.
Start on Laurel Street
At end of road, turn right onto KY 1762
Turn left onto KY 15 Business
Continue on KY 451
Take the ramp
Merge onto Hal Rogers Parkway
Turn right onto KY 914
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn right onto KY 234
Continue on KY 234
Continue on KY 234
Continue on US 68; KY 80
Turn right onto US 231
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 165
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 60; US 231
Take the exit
Turn left onto KY 54
Continue on KY 54
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Turn right onto Frederica Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138 miles or 2h 42m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Owensboro, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hazard, 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 Hazard, KY
This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138 mi from Hazard, KY · 2h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 138 miles from Hazard, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Hal Rogers Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$41.94 one way
$83.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.23 | $92.46 |
| premium | $4.80 | $52.12 | $104.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.34 | $122.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.99 | $13.25 |
| Efficient EV | 69 | 0 | $24.16 | $11.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.4 | 1 | $38.65 | $17.67 |
Gas CO2
97 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Hazard on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Owensboro on Saturday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Nicholasville, KY
138 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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