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Trip from Owensboro, KY to Flatwoods, KY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 37m

Distance

297 mi

478 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 24m ★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 29m

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

Downtown Owensboro, KY, KY

Owensboro, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Flatwoods, KY, KY

Flatwoods, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Trip Overview

The drive from Owensboro, KY to Flatwoods, KY covers 297 miles and takes about 5h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.2 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.43 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

148.5 miles from Owensboro, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 37m highway drive covering 297 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.2 miles on I 64.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Bluegrass Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 297 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 94.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

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

8
94.1 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
94.4 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 48m 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
6
181.4 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in

Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
183.5 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | I 64

Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Owensboro, KY and Flatwoods, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, Ashland and Greenup.

Elizabethtown

33.7 mi in | ~39m

Louisville

94.1 mi in | ~1h 45m

Lexington

96.4 mi in | ~1h 48m

Bardstown

96.4 mi in | ~1h 48m

Ashland

181.4 mi in | ~3h 25m

Greenup

281.1 mi in | ~5h 14m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 99.2 mi 1h 47m
Bluegrass Parkway 70.7 mi 1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway 60.1 mi 1h 4m
I 165 28.8 mi 30m
Industrial Parkway 9.5 mi 10m
New Circle Road 5.7 mi 8m
Versailles Road 4.6 mi 6m
Argillite Road 3.8 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 99.2 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Frederica Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · Frederica Street
2

Turn left onto West 18th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 18th Street
3

Turn right onto KY 2155

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Triplett Street
4

Turn straight onto KY 2155

1.9 mi · 3 min · New Hartford Road
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
6

Merge onto US 60; US 231

0.4 mi · 29 sec · Wendell Ford Expressway
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 17 Toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
8

Continue on I 165

29 mi · 30 min · I 165
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 41A Toward Elizabethtown
10

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
18

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
20

Merge onto KY 4

5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto US 27; US 68

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
22

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
23

Merge onto I 64; I 75

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 64; I 75
24

Take the exit onto I 64

17 mi · 18 min · I 64
Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

81 mi · 1 hr 26 min · I 64
26

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 179 Toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
27

Continue on KY 67

9.5 mi · 10 min · Industrial Parkway
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
29

At end of road, turn right onto KY 207

1.1 mi · 2 min · Argillite Road
30

At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 503

2.2 mi · 3 min · Argillite Road
31

Continue on KY 207

1.3 mi · 2 min · Greenbo Boulevard
32

At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 693

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Bellefonte Road
33

Turn left onto KY 207

0.6 mi · 1 min · Argillite Road
34

Turn right onto KY 750

23 ft · 0 sec · Powell Lane
35

Arrive at destination

KY 750

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 148.5 miles from Owensboro, KY, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 148.5 miles or 2h 45m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flatwoods, 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 297 miles and 5h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Owensboro, 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 64 for about 99.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 148.5 mi from Owensboro, KY · 2h 45m into the drive

city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nicholasville, KY

149 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

Vine Grove, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nicholasville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.5 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 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.

Arriving in Flatwoods, KY

The final approach into Flatwoods, 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 Flatwoods, 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

$46.43 one way

$92.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $50.98 $101.96
premium $4.89 $57.15 $114.31
diesel $5.61 $65.57 $131.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.1 1 $31.18 $14.26
Efficient EV 74.3 0 $25.99 $11.88
EV Truck/SUV 118.8 1 $41.58 $19.01

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% 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

Owensboro, KY

Late night in Owensboro on Thursday

Local time

12:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flatwoods, KY

Late night in Flatwoods on Thursday

Local time

1:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

26 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 37m 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 Owensboro, KY to Flatwoods, KY covers 297 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, 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 148.5 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 $46.43 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 27 significant decision points across 297 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 94.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Owensboro, KY and Flatwoods, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, Ashland and Greenup.

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