The drive from Paducah, KY to Flatwoods, KY covers 374.3 miles and takes about 7h 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 64, Bluegrass Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.52 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.2 miles from Paducah, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h. Total distance: 374.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h highway drive covering 374.3 miles, with most of the trip on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.2 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 37 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 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.9 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 374.3 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 33.9 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.4 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.
6
33.9 mi into trip|~40m in|I 69
Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
171.4 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
8
173.7 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
8
260.8 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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 Paducah, KY and Flatwoods, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Princeton
33.9 mi in|~40m|via I 69
Elizabethtown
72.5 mi in|~1h 22m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
171.4 mi in|~3h 8m
Lexington
173.7 mi in|~3h 12m
Bardstown
173.7 mi in|~3h 12m
Ashland
258.7 mi in|~4h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
I 64
99.2 mi
1h 47m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
38.3 mi
41m
I 24
24.6 mi
26m
Industrial Parkway
9.5 mi
10m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paducah, KY and Flatwoods, KY.
1
Start on Washington Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Washington Street
2
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·South 4th Street
3
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
4
Turn left onto US 60; US 62
1.8 mi·2 min·Clarks River Road
5
Turn straight onto US 60; US 62
1.0 mi·1 min·Reidland Road
6
Turn straight onto US 62
1.7 mi·1 min·Kentucky Dam Road
7
Turn right onto US 68
1.1 mi·1 min·US 68
8
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
9
Merge onto I 24
25 mi·26 min·I 24
10
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
15
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
19
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
20
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
22
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
24
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
25
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
26
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
81 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 64
28
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 179Toward KY 67: Wurtland, Greenup
29
Continue on KY 67
9.5 mi·10 min·Industrial Parkway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
31
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207
1.1 mi·2 min·Argillite Road
32
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 503
2.2 mi·3 min·Argillite Road
33
Continue on KY 207
1.3 mi·2 min·Greenbo Boulevard
34
At end of road, turn right onto KY 207; KY 693
0.3 mi·38 sec·Bellefonte Road
35
Turn left onto KY 207
0.6 mi·1 min·Argillite Road
36
Turn right onto KY 750
23 ft·0 sec·Powell Lane
37
Arrive at destination
KY 750
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.2 miles from Paducah, KY, or about 3h 27m 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 82 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.2 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 50m
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 Paducah, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Paducah, KY
This is one driving day of about 374.3 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Paducah, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Western Kentucky Parkway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187.2 mi from Paducah, KY
· 3h 27m into the drive
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 294.1
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18595850406
The Hub Coffee Co.
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 294.1
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.52 one way
$117.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$64.25
$128.50
premium
$4.89
$72.03
$144.06
diesel
$5.61
$82.64
$165.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.97
Efficient EV
93.6
1
$32.75
$14.97
EV Truck/SUV
149.7
1
$52.40
$23.96
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Paducah, KY
Evening
in Paducah on Thursday
Local time
7:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Flatwoods, KY
Evening
in Flatwoods on Thursday
Local time
8:52 PM
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Paducah, KY to Flatwoods, KY covers 374.3 miles and takes about 7h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Kentucky Parkway, I 64, Bluegrass 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 187.2 miles from Paducah, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 374.3 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 33.9 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 171.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Paducah, KY and Flatwoods, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
