Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
273 mi
439 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
The drive from Owensboro, KY to Hazard, KY covers 273 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on KY 80, Cumberland Parkway, I 165 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.7 miles on KY 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.47 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
136.5 miles from Owensboro, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
This is a 5h 16m highway drive covering 273 miles, with most of the trip on KY 80 and Cumberland Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 90.7 miles on KY 80.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,600 ft
Total Descent
1,055 ft
Highest Point
1,261 ft
~204.7 mi in
Elevation Range
867 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on KY 80 and Cumberland Parkway. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near West 18th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 273 miles you will encounter 19 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 1.1 miles (West 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West 18th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 165 South: Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward Somerset, Glasgow
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Laurel Street
Navigation decision point
Between Owensboro, KY and Hazard, KY, road signs point toward Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Somerset
Glasgow
Burnside
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| KY 80 | 90.7 mi | 1h 46m |
| Cumberland Parkway | 85.6 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 165 | 62.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 65 | 14.5 mi | 15m |
| Coates Branch Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Louisville Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| New Hartford Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Morgantown Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Owensboro, KY and Hazard, KY.
Start on Frederica Street
Turn left onto West 18th Street
Turn right onto KY 2155
Turn straight onto KY 2155
Turn left
Merge onto US 60; US 231
Take the exit
Continue on I 165
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 231
Turn left onto Old Morgantown Road
Turn left onto US 68 Business
Continue on US 68 Business
Continue on US 31W; US 68; KY 80
Turn right onto KY 446
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
Take the exit
Continue on KY 914
Turn left onto KY 80
Take the exit
Turn right onto KY 451
Continue on KY 15 Business
Turn right onto KY 1762
Turn left onto Laurel Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 37m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazard, KY than in the middle of the route.
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 273 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.5 mi from Owensboro, KY · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.5 miles from Owensboro, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before KY 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.7 miles.
The final approach into Hazard, 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 Hazard, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$41.47 one way
$82.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $45.71 | $91.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $51.54 | $103.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.65 | $121.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.66 | $13.10 |
| Efficient EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.89 | $10.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.22 | $17.47 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Owensboro on Saturday
Local time
9:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Hazard on Saturday
Local time
10:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Nicholasville, KY
137 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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