Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
221.7 mi
357 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Simpsonville, KY
Tom Fisk
Georgetown, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Simpsonville, KY to Georgetown, KY is 221.7 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 64, I 75, and Cumberland Gap Parkway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that should be manageable for most drivers within a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in the Bluegrass State.
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
110.9 miles from Simpsonville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 78.5 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 75 | 56.7 mi | 1h |
| Cumberland Gap Parkway | 30.7 mi | 36m |
| KY 38 | 19.7 mi | 34m |
| Harlan Road | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Pineville Road | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| Corbin Bypass | 2 mi | 3m |
| Bob Madon Bypass | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Simpsonville, KY and Georgetown, KY.
Start on KY 1848
Turn left onto US 60; KY 1848
Turn right onto KY 1848
Continue on KY 1848
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Continue on I 75
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 25E
Continue on US 25E
Continue on US 25E
Turn left onto US 119
Continue on US 119
Turn right onto US 421
Turn left onto KY 38
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Continue on KY 38
Arrive at destination
With a duration of just over 4 hours, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 221.7-mile drive. There's one recommended stop, so plan to stretch your legs and refuel about halfway through. Given the highway-heavy nature, be mindful of traffic, especially as you approach larger towns. A specific tip: ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the longest stretch on I 64, as services can be spread out.
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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Georgetown, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Simpsonville, 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 Simpsonville, KY
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.9 miles from Simpsonville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 202.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 60; KY 1848 / Shelbyville Road
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 25E / Corbin Bypass
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto KY 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$34.66 one way
$69.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.06 | $76.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.66 | $85.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| Efficient EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.04 | $14.19 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Simpsonville on Saturday
Local time
2:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Georgetown on Saturday
Local time
2:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
National Monument
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey on major interstates and parkways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.5 miles on I 64, offering a consistent pace. The route utilizes I 64, I 75, and the Cumberland Gap Parkway, indicating a mix of high-speed interstate travel and potentially more scenic parkway sections. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 75. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60; KY 1848 / Shelbyville Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 21m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 60; KY 1848 / Shelbyville Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (I 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Simpsonville, KY to Georgetown, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Barbourville along the way.
Barbourville
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.
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.
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