Origin
Louisville, KY
Morning in Louisville on Wednesday
Local time
6:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Louisville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
169.8 mi
273 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Louisville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Hopkinsville, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Louisville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY covers 169.8 miles and takes about 3h 8m 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 65, I 169 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.55 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
84.9 miles from Louisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 8m highway drive covering 169.8 miles, with most of the trip on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 98 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 19 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 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 65. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 169.8 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 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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.
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
143.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
168.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68, KY 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
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 Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Paducah
44.6 mi in
|
~51m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
44.8 mi in
|
~51m
Elizabethtown
45.1 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 65 | 43.8 mi | 49m |
| I 169 | 24.7 mi | 26m |
| East 9th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Liberty Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| McLean Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Bethel Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Hopkinsville, 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
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 169
281 ft
·
3 sec
·
I 169
13
Continue on I 169
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 169
Exit 106A
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
15
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
16
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
McLean Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 9th Street
18
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft
·
13 sec
·
Bethel Street
19
Arrive at destination
Bethel 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 84.9 miles from Louisville, KY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 84.9 miles or 1h 35m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkinsville, 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 169.8 miles and 3h 8m.
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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.9 mi from Louisville, KY · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 84.9 miles from Louisville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 miles.
Arriving in Hopkinsville, KY
The final approach into Hopkinsville, 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 Hopkinsville, 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
$26.55 one way
$53.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.15 | $58.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.68 | $65.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.49 | $74.98 |
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: 59.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.83 | $8.15 |
| Efficient EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.86 | $6.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.87 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Hopkinsville, KY
Late night in Hopkinsville on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 8m 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 Louisville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY covers 169.8 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Kentucky Parkway, I 65, I 169. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.9 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 $26.55 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 169.8 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 44.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Louisville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
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