The drive from Paducah, KY to London, KY covers 283.2 miles and takes about 5h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cumberland Parkway, I 24, Russellville Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.28 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
141.6 miles from Paducah, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 283.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 25m highway drive covering 283.2 miles, with most of the trip on Cumberland Parkway and I 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.6 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cumberland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 85.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 283.2 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 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 65
Toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
5
108 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
137.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
5
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
6
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 86
Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
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 London, KY, road signs point toward Hopkinsville, Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Hopkinsville
57.9 mi in|~1h 5m
Somerset
160.5 mi in|~3h 7m
Glasgow
160.5 mi in|~3h 7m
Burnside
246.6 mi in|~4h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi
1h 31m
I 24
48.5 mi
51m
Russellville Road
35.9 mi
42m
KY 80
34.5 mi
41m
Interstate Highway 65
21.7 mi
23m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
Cadiz Road
9.2 mi
11m
Jefferson Davis Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paducah, KY and London, 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
49 mi·51 min·I 24
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 65Toward US 68, KY 80: Cadiz, Hopkinsville
11
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
3.8 mi·4 min·Hopkinsville Road
12
Continue on US 68; KY 80
9.2 mi·11 min·Cadiz Road
13
Continue on US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi·2 min·West 7th Street
14
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80; KY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
15
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
1.3 mi·1 min·McLean Avenue
16
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.9 mi·10 min·Russellville Road
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
5.2 mi·5 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
18
Continue on US 68; KY 80
19 mi·22 min·Russellville Road
19
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·West 4th Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
231 ft·7 sec·West 4th Street
21
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
72 ft·1 sec·South Main Street
22
Turn right onto US 68 Business
0.6 mi·55 sec·East 4th Street
23
Turn right onto US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
24
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
25
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
26
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
27
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
28
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
29
Continue on US 68; KY 80
8.0 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 165 South
31
Merge onto I 165
4.8 mi·5 min·I 165
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Exit 1AToward I 65 North: Louisville
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·53 sec
Toward I 65 North: Louisville
34
Merge onto I 65
22 mi·23 min·Interstate Highway 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Somerset, Glasgow
36
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·Cumberland Parkway
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 86Toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
38
Continue on KY 914
0.4 mi·33 sec·KY 914
39
Turn left onto KY 80
34 mi·41 min·KY 80
Use the left lane.
40
Turn right onto US 25; KY 80
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
41
Turn left onto East 5th Street
133 ft·5 sec·East 5th Street
42
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
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 141.6 miles from Paducah, KY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 62 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.6 miles or 2h 47m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near London, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Paducah, KY
This is one driving day of about 283.2 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Paducah, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 85.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141.6 mi from Paducah, KY
· 2h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 141.6 miles from Paducah, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Cumberland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.6 miles.
Arriving in London, KY
The final approach into London, 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 London, 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.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 244.1
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 156.2
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 58.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.28 one way
$88.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.61
$97.22
premium
$4.89
$54.50
$109.00
diesel
$5.61
$62.53
$125.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85
1
$29.74
$13.59
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.78
$11.33
EV Truck/SUV
113.3
1
$39.65
$18.12
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Paducah, KY
Late night
in Paducah on Saturday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
London, KY
Late night
in London on Saturday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
2 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
5h 25m 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 Paducah, KY to London, KY covers 283.2 miles and takes about 5h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Parkway, I 24, Russellville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.6 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 $44.28 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 283.2 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 57.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (US 68 Business; KY 3519 / West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Paducah, KY and London, KY, road signs point toward Hopkinsville, Somerset, Glasgow and Burnside.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Mammoth Cave National Park and Fort Donelson National Battlefield.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
