Origin
Louisville, KY
Morning in Louisville on Wednesday
Local time
6:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, KY to Hickman, KY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
266.6 mi
429 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, KY
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Hickman, KY
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Trip Overview
This 266.6-mile journey from Louisville, KY to Hickman, KY is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in under 5 hours. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes major highways like I-65, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and I-69, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway within the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $42, this route offers an economical way to travel. The majority of the drive is highway-focused, suggesting a relatively swift passage with minimal detours. You'll find this route efficient for getting from point A to point B, especially if you're looking for a direct path.
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
133.3 miles from Louisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 98% of this 266.6-mile trip. You'll spend most of your time on interstates and parkways, which means consistent speeds and a predictable journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 103.7 miles on I-69, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While the roads are primarily designed for efficient travel, the shift from I-65 to the Western Kentucky Parkway and then to I-69 will offer a slight change in the surrounding infrastructure. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes covering distance over intricate scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Liberty Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 266.6 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 0.1 miles (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Liberty Street
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 1st Street
Turn right onto South 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
44.6 mi into trip
|
~51m 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...
8
44.8 mi into trip
|
~51m 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...
7
181.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Louisville, KY and Hickman, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown, Clinton and Fulton.
Paducah
44.6 mi in
|
~51m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
44.8 mi in
|
~51m
Elizabethtown
45.1 mi in
|
~52m
Clinton
248 mi in
|
~4h 30m
Fulton
248 mi in
|
~4h 30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 103.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98.9 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 65 | 43.8 mi | 49m |
| KY 94 | 16 mi | 23m |
| Nolan Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Liberty Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Jefferson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Hickman, KY.
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
257 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto South 6th Street
284 ft
·
15 sec
·
South 6th Street
3
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Liberty Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn right onto South 1st Street
224 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 65
44 mi
·
49 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
10
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
11
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
12
Merge onto I 69
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 69
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 69
Exit 68B
Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 69
Exit 25A
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Clinton, Fulton
16
Turn right onto US 51
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Nolan Avenue
17
Turn left onto KY 94
16 mi
·
23 min
·
KY 94
18
Turn left onto KY 125
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Troy Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
KY 125
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 58-minute duration, starting your trip from Louisville in the morning will allow you to reach Hickman with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one suggested stop and a high highway share, you can choose your timing for breaks based on your personal needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 103.7-mile stretch on I-69, and plan your refueling accordingly. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility; if you encounter unexpected delays, you won't be significantly behind schedule. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departure, as the majority of the drive involves sustained highway speeds.
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 133.3 miles from Louisville, KY, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hickman, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Louisville, 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 Louisville, KY
This is one driving day of about 266.6 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Louisville, 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 69 for about 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.3 mi from Louisville, KY · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Louisville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.7 miles.
Arriving in Hickman, KY
The final approach into Hickman, 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 Hickman, KY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.68 one way
$83.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.76 | $91.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.30 | $102.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.86 | $117.72 |
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: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80 | 0 | $27.99 | $12.80 |
| Efficient EV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.33 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.32 | $17.06 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Hickman, KY
Late night in Hickman on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
3 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
4h 58m 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 Louisville, KY to Hickman, KY covers 266.6 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, Western Kentucky Parkway, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.3 miles from Louisville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.68 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 266.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (South 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Louisville, KY and Hickman, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown, Clinton and Fulton.
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