Origin
Hopkinsville, KY
Afternoon in Hopkinsville on Saturday
Local time
12:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hopkinsville, KY to Monticello, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
171.4 mi
276 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hopkinsville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Monticello, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
The drive from Hopkinsville, KY to Monticello, KY covers 171.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Russellville Road, Burkesville Road, Interstate Highway 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on Russellville Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.80 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
85.7 miles from Hopkinsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Russellville Road | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| Burkesville Road | 33.7 mi | 44m |
| Interstate Highway 65 | 21.7 mi | 23m |
| Glasgow Road | 14 mi | 15m |
| Cumberland Parkway | 13.3 mi | 14m |
| Bowling Green Road | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Summer Shade Road | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Albany Road | 8.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Russellville Road
— 35.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hopkinsville, KY and Monticello, KY.
1
Start on Bethel Street
301 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bethel Street
2
Turn right onto US 68; KY 80; KY 109
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 9th Street
3
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
McLean Avenue
4
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Russellville Road
5
Continue on US 68; KY 80
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Jefferson Davis Highway
6
Continue on US 68; KY 80
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Russellville Road
7
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
West 4th Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
231 ft
·
7 sec
·
West 4th Street
9
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right onto US 68 Business
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
East 4th Street
11
Turn right onto US 68 Business
373 ft
·
6 sec
·
Franklin Street
12
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Franklin Road
13
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Franklin Street
14
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Bowling Green Road
15
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Jefferson Davis Highway
16
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Bowling Green Road
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 165 South
19
Merge onto I 165
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I 165
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
22
Merge onto I 65
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
24
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Cumberland Parkway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 14
Toward KY 90: Glasgow, Burkesville
26
Merge onto KY 90
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Burkesville Road
27
Continue on KY 90
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Summer Shade Road
28
Continue on KY 90
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Glasgow Road
29
At end of road, turn right onto KY 61; KY 90
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Main Street
30
Continue on KY 90
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Albany Road
31
Continue on KY 90
23 mi
·
32 min
·
Burkesville Road
32
Turn right onto KY 90 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
33
Continue on KY 90 Business
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
KY 90 Business; KY 92
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 85.7 miles from Hopkinsville, KY, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hopkinsville, 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 Hopkinsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Hopkinsville, 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 Russellville Road for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Hopkinsville, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 35.3 and 101.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
5
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
5
66.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
I 65 / Interstate Highway 65
Merge onto I 65 / Interstate Highway 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
101.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward KY 90: Glasgow, Burkesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 14
Toward KY 90: Glasgow, Burkesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.80 one way
$53.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.42 | $58.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.98 | $65.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.84 | $75.69 |
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 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 | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.00 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.00 | $10.97 |
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.
Destination
Monticello, KY
Afternoon in Monticello on Saturday
Local time
1:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Glasgow, 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 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 24m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 88.6
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 171.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
171.4 mi in 3h 24m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on Russellville Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 miles in near US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 171.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 35.3 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Hopkinsville, KY and Monticello, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow and Burkesville.
Somerset
87.8 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Glasgow
87.8 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Burkesville
101.6 mi in
|
~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on Russellville Road. 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 Monticello, 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 35.3 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 65.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Mammoth Cave National Park and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Monticello, 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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