Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Owensboro, KY to Benton, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

121.3 mi

195 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Owensboro, KY, KY

Owensboro, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Kentucky, United States

Benton, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Owensboro, KY to Benton, KY covers 121.3 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 69, US 431, Western Kentucky Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.5 miles on I 69. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.96 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.

Midpoint

60.7 miles from Owensboro, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 121.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 121.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 69 and US 431. The longest continuous stretch is about 62.5 miles on I 69.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 62.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 431. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in near KY 1031.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 121.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 32.5 miles (KY 1031): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 94.4 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
32.5 mi into trip | ~40m in | KY 1031

Turn left onto KY 1031

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
36.3 mi into trip | ~45m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
94.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m 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
5
110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | I 69

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 25A
6
119.5 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Take the exit toward KY 348: Benton, Symsonia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 43 Toward KY 348: Benton, Symsonia

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 62.5 mi 1h 7m
US 431 24 mi 27m
Western Kentucky Parkway 20.5 mi 21m
Frederica Street 8.5 mi 13m
KY 1031 3.9 mi 4m
West 5th Street 0.6 mi <1m
Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
Symsonia Road 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 62.5 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Owensboro, KY and Benton, KY.

1

Start on Frederica Street

8.5 mi · 13 min · Frederica Street
2

Continue on US 431

24 mi · 27 min · US 431
3

Turn left onto KY 1031

3.9 mi · 4 min · KY 1031
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

20 mi · 21 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
6

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

0.8 mi · 54 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
7

Merge onto I 69

37 mi · 40 min · I 69
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

16 mi · 17 min · I 69
Exit 68B Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

8.9 mi · 9 min · I 69
Exit 25A
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 43 Toward KY 348: Benton, Symsonia
11

Turn left onto KY 348

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Symsonia Road
12

Continue on KY 348

0.6 mi · 50 sec · West 5th Street
13

Turn right onto US 641; KY 58

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Main Street
14

Turn left onto KY 58; KY 408

136 ft · 2 sec · East 12th Street
15

Arrive at destination

KY 58; KY 408

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.7 miles from Owensboro, KY, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.5 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 27 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.7 miles or 1h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, KY

This is one driving day of about 121.3 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Owensboro, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 62.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.7 mi from Owensboro, KY · 1h 11m into the drive

city in Rowan County, Kentucky

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Morehead, KY

61 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

Morehead, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nortonville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Owensboro, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.5 miles.

Arriving in Benton, KY

The final approach into Benton, 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 Benton, KY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

62 East (Restaurant)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Central City, Kentucky

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.7

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12709315066

Shogun of Owensboro

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Owensboro, Kentucky

2.2 mi

62 East (Restaurant)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.7

Central City, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12709315066

Shogun of Owensboro

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12702006557

Visit website

Huddle House

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12702402076

Visit website

Windy Hollow Restaurant and Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.7

Owensboro, Kentucky

Hours: Closed

+12707854088

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.96 one way

$37.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.82 $41.64
premium $4.89 $23.34 $46.69
diesel $5.61 $26.78 $53.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.74 $5.82
Efficient EV 30.3 0 $10.61 $4.85
EV Truck/SUV 48.5 0 $16.98 $7.76

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Owensboro, KY

Afternoon in Owensboro on Friday

Local time

12:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Benton, KY

Afternoon in Benton on Friday

Local time

12:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

20 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

2h 18m 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 Owensboro, KY to Benton, KY covers 121.3 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 69, US 431, Western Kentucky Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 60.7 miles from Owensboro, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles (KY 1031): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 94.4 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Owensboro, KY to Benton, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Benton, KY

Independence, KY 297.2 mi · 5h 32m Richmond, KY 273.5 mi · 5h 6m Lexington, KY 250.9 mi · 4h 38m Louisville, KY 209.1 mi · 3h 51m

More from Owensboro, KY

Pikeville, KY 318.7 mi · 5h 59m Ashland, KY 301.2 mi · 5h 37m Hazard, KY 273 mi · 5h 16m Jackson, KY 262.1 mi · 4h 56m Augusta, KY 239.2 mi · 4h 48m Clay City, KY 218.2 mi · 4h 8m

More trips to Benton, KY

Independence, KY 297.4 mi Florence, KY 294.6 mi Louisville, KY 208.6 mi Elizabethtown, KY 164.5 mi Bowling Green, KY 129.2 mi
Weekend drives from Owensboro, KY Scenic drives in KY

Explore more options from Owensboro, KY or browse trips ending in Benton, KY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.