Origin
Russell Springs, KY
Afternoon in Russell Springs on Saturday
Local time
12:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russell Springs, KY to Owensboro, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
160.7 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell Springs, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Owensboro, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Russell Springs, KY to Owensboro, KY covers 160.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Maple Street, Cumberland Parkway West, Cumberland Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.12 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.4 miles from Russell Springs, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Street | — | — |
| Cumberland Parkway West | — | — |
| Cumberland Parkway | — | — |
| Cumberland Expressway | — | — |
| KY 234 | — | — |
| Cemetery Road | — | — |
| Fairview Avenue | — | — |
| East 6th Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Maple Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russell Springs, KY and Owensboro, KY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Maple Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Street
3
Turn right
522 ft
·
7 sec
4
Take the exit slight right toward Cumberland Parkway West
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Cumberland Parkway West
5
Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Cumberland Parkway
6
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Cumberland Parkway
7
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Expressway
8
Merge slight left
17 mi
·
17 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward KY 234: Bowling Green
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
KY 234: Bowling Green
10
Turn right onto Cemetery Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cemetery Road
11
Continue on Fairview Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairview Avenue
12
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Avenue
13
Continue on Veterans Memorial Lane
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Veterans Memorial Lane
14
Turn right onto Morgantown Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Morgantown Road
15
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
16
Merge slight left
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
17
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
18
Merge slight left onto Wendell Ford Expressway
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
19
Take the exit slight right toward KY 54
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
KY 54
20
Turn left onto Leitchfield Road
259 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leitchfield Road
21
Continue on East Parrish Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Parrish Avenue
22
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Leitchfield Road
23
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
24
Turn right onto Frederica Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Frederica Street
25
Arrive at your destination
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.4 miles from Russell Springs, KY, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
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 35 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Owensboro, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russell Springs, 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 Russell Springs, KY
This is one driving day of about 160.7 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Russell Springs, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.4 miles from Russell Springs, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.12 one way
$50.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.58 | $55.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.93 | $61.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Owensboro, KY
Afternoon in Owensboro on Saturday
Local time
12:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
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
2h 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
160.7 mi in 2h 31m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Maple Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Russell Springs, KY to Owensboro, KY is easy. At 2h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Russell Springs, KY to Owensboro, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 160.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Russell Springs, KY to Owensboro, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Owensboro, KY before heading back.
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.
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