Origin
Shepherdsville, KY
Evening in Shepherdsville on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shepherdsville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
150.9 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shepherdsville, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Hopkinsville, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Shepherdsville to Hopkinsville, expect a straightforward journey covering 150.9 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Kentucky Turnpike, I-169, and the Western Kentucky Parkway to navigate between these two Southeast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it is an affordable route for a quick getaway or a necessary business trip. Since the route is entirely within Kentucky, you can anticipate consistent road conditions throughout the drive. It is a practical, highway-focused path that prioritizes efficiency over complex navigation.
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
75.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 98% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Western Kentucky Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 98 miles. The drive feels like a classic interstate grind, perfect for those who want to cover ground quickly without the hassle of technical local roads. Because it is so highway-focused, the character of the route remains consistent from start to finish. You should be prepared for a fast-paced environment where the focus is on maintaining momentum rather than frequent stops.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 98 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 169. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near KY 44 / East 4th Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 150.9 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 0.2 miles (KY 44 / East 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
KY 44 / East 4th Street
Turn right onto KY 44 / East 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
25.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
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 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
25.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
7
124.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
149.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68, KY 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
Towns Along This Route
Between Shepherdsville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Paducah
25.7 mi in
|
~28m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
25.9 mi in
|
~29m
Elizabethtown
26.2 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 169 | 24.7 mi | 26m |
| Kentucky Turnpike | 24.6 mi | 26m |
| East 9th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East 4th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| McLean Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Buckman Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bethel Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shepherdsville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY.
1
Start on 3rd Street
203 ft
·
10 sec
·
3rd Street
2
Turn right onto KY 61
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Buckman Street
3
Turn right onto KY 44
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
East 4th Street
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Kentucky Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
9
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 169
281 ft
·
3 sec
·
I 169
12
Continue on I 169
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 169
Exit 106A
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
14
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 68, KY 80
15
Turn straight onto US 68; KY 80
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
McLean Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 9th Street
17
Turn left onto Bethel Street
301 ft
·
13 sec
·
Bethel Street
18
Arrive at destination
Bethel Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 45-minute travel time, plan for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Since the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Western Kentucky Parkway, as this 98-mile section is where you will spend the bulk of your time. Given the $23 fuel budget, consider topping off in Shepherdsville to avoid any mid-trip stress. Ultimately, this drive is simple enough that you can focus on a comfortable pace rather than worrying about complex navigation.
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 75.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkinsville, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shepherdsville, 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 Shepherdsville, KY
This is one driving day of about 150.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shepherdsville, 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.5 mi from Shepherdsville, KY · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 miles.
Arriving in Hopkinsville, KY
The final approach into Hopkinsville, 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 Hopkinsville, 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
$22.92 one way
$45.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.27 | $50.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.49 | $56.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.52 | $67.05 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.72
Kentucky Turnpike
(24.6 mi)
$1.72
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.84 | $7.24 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.20 | $6.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Hopkinsville, KY
Evening in Hopkinsville on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 45m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shepherdsville, KY to Hopkinsville, KY covers 150.9 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Kentucky Parkway, I 169, Kentucky Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.5 miles from Shepherdsville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 150.9 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 0.2 miles (KY 44 / East 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Shepherdsville, KY and Hopkinsville, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
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