The drive from Oklahoma, KY to Cumberland, KY covers 291 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on KY 54, Cumberland Gap Parkway, I 75 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.1 miles on KY 54.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.49 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
145.5 miles from Oklahoma, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 291 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 291 miles, with most of the trip on KY 54 and Cumberland Gap Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 39.1 miles on KY 54.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
KY 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KY 54 and Cumberland Gap Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.8 miles in near Western Kentucky Parkway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 291 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 41.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
41.8 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown
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 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
5
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 150
Keep slight left at fork onto US 150
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.
Between Oklahoma, KY and Cumberland, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Barbourville.
Louisville
71.4 mi in|~1h 39m
Lexington
73.7 mi in|~1h 42m
Bardstown
73.7 mi in|~1h 42m
Barbourville
205.9 mi in|~4h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
KY 54
39.1 mi
1h 2m
Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi
36m
I 75
29.6 mi
31m
Western Kentucky Parkway
29.6 mi
31m
Danville Road
29 mi
33m
US 150
24.3 mi
27m
Bluegrass Parkway
23.8 mi
25m
US 119
20.8 mi
23m
Longest stretch:
KY 54
— 39.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oklahoma, KY and Cumberland, KY.
1
Start on KY 764
1.5 mi·2 min·KY 764
2
Turn right onto KY 54
39 mi·1 hr 2 min·KY 54
3
Enter roundabout onto US 62; KY 259
42 ft·1 sec·Public Square
4
Continue on US 62; KY 259
78 ft·1 sec·Public Square
5
Turn slight right onto US 62; KY 259
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
7
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
30 mi·31 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
10
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
24 mi·25 min·Bluegrass Parkway
13
Take the exit onto US 31E Truck
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 31E Truck
Toward Bardstown
14
Turn right onto US 150
5.6 mi·6 min·Springfield Road
15
Continue on US 150
9.2 mi·10 min·Bardstown Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 150
93 ft·1 sec·US 150
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 150
24 mi·27 min·US 150
18
Turn right onto US 127 Bypass; US 150 Bypass
5.5 mi·6 min·South Danville Bypass
19
Continue on US 150
2.0 mi·2 min·Stanford Road
20
Continue on US 150
29 mi·33 min·Danville Road
21
Continue on US 25
2.0 mi·2 min·South Daniel Boone Trail
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
23
Merge onto I 75
30 mi·31 min·I 75
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
25
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi·3 min·Corbin Bypass
26
Continue on US 25E
31 mi·36 min·Cumberland Gap Parkway
27
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi·2 min·Bob Madon Bypass
28
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi·18 min·Harlan Road
29
Continue on US 119
13 mi·14 min·Pineville Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto US 119; US 421
21 mi·23 min·US 119; US 421
31
Turn left onto KY 2179
503 ft·14 sec·Frazier Street
32
Turn right onto KY 2179
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Main Street
33
Turn left onto KY 1254
88 ft·1 sec·Kingdom Come Drive
34
Arrive at destination
KY 1254
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 145.5 miles from Oklahoma, KY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.1 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 64 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.5 miles or 3h 4m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cumberland, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma, KY
This is one driving day of about 291 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Oklahoma, 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 KY 54 for about 39.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.5 mi from Oklahoma, KY
· 3h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.5 miles from Oklahoma, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cumberland, KY
The final approach into Cumberland, 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 Cumberland, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 240.8
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 140.5
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 170.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.49 one way
$90.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.95
$99.90
premium
$4.89
$56.00
$112.00
diesel
$5.61
$64.25
$128.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.3
1
$30.55
$13.97
Efficient EV
72.8
0
$25.46
$11.64
EV Truck/SUV
116.4
1
$40.74
$18.62
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Oklahoma, KY
Afternoon
in Oklahoma on Thursday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cumberland, KY
Afternoon
in Cumberland on Thursday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 53m 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 Oklahoma, KY to Cumberland, KY covers 291 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are KY 54, Cumberland Gap Parkway, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.5 miles from Oklahoma, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.49 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 20 significant decision points across 291 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 41.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oklahoma, KY and Cumberland, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Barbourville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
